SPRINGFIELD, IL –Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) to create the state’s fourth medical district will help improve access to healthcare for South Chicago and the entire South Suburban region.

House Bill 1888 creates the Roseland Community Medical District Act. The legislation directs the formation of the Roseland Community Medical District Commission, whose mission is to coordinate efforts to develop and implement the new Roseland Medical District.

The District boundaries are from West/East 110th Street on the north, South Stewart Avenue on the west, West/East 112th Street on the south and South Michigan Avenue on the east.

The Commission, a non-taxing body, will have the authority to solicit funds, enter into leases and perform other functions related to the expansion, development and maintenance of health facilities in the district area.

"This legislation will not only increase the healthcare options for South Chicago and the south suburbs, but will also increase economic opportunities for a number of entities, both healthcare related and services for the employees within the medical district," Senator Crotty said. "This is both an economic win and a win for a better quality of life for our region."

The Roseland Medical District will be the fourth medical district created by law in the State of Illinois. Other medical districts, including the Illinois Medical District on the Near West Side of Chicago have proven to be generators of innovation in the medical field, as well as improving the economic situation of those areas.