Roseland medical district

The August 5, 2011 signing of the bill by Gov. Pat Quinn created the Roseland Community Medical District. The legislation will help the far south side of Chicago attract high-tech and medical research investments. Sponsored by Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) and Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago), House Bill 1888 establishes the Roseland Community Medical District (RCMD). It also creates a commission that will generate a comprehensive economic development plan with the goal of attracting academic institutions, medical research facilities, and high-tech businesses to the area.

“We need to use everything in our toolbox to grow our economy and create jobs,” Governor Quinn said. “Keys to our future prosperity are in the high-tech and medical fields, where revolutionary advancements are made every day. This legislation will help ensure that more of those breakthroughs are made in Illinois.” – William Leonard Public Library

About RMD Commission and Mission

The Roseland Community Medical District Commission (RCMDC), an intergovernmental agency, was signed into law by the State of Illinois in 2011 by Governor Patrick Quinn. The District is created to attract and retain academic centers of excellence, viable healthcare facilities, medical research facilities, emerging high-technology enterprises, and other facilities and uses as permitted by this Act. RCMDC acts as an independent third-party convenor and facilitator that brings institutions and individuals together around common themes and goals. 

Governed by the Commission, the Roseland Community Medical District (RCMD) is a 95-acre district whose general purpose: (1) maintain the proper surroundings for a medical center and a related technology center in order to attract, stabilize, and retain within the District hospitals, clinics, research facilities, educational facilities, or other facilities permitted under this Act; and (2) provide for the orderly creation, maintenance, development, and expansion of (i) health care facilities and other ancillary or related facilities that the Commission may from time to time determine are established and operated (A) for any aspect of the carrying out of the Commission's purposes as set forth in this Act, (B) for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of human ailments and injuries, whether physical or mental, or (C) to promote medical, surgical, and scientific research and knowledge as permitted under this Act; and (ii) medical research and high technology parks, together with the necessary lands, buildings, facilities, equipment, and personal property for those parks.

Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) was hired as the administrative support organization to manage the operations and programs for the Roseland Medical District Commissioners. 

In 2021, the City of Chicago funded the comprehensive Master Plan for the 95-acre site. The Master Plan will seek to address the 1) medical needs, 2) public infrastructure, and 3) human investment for the Greater Roseland neighborhood on Chicago's far south side.