Freestanding Birth Centers in Illinois

Overview

For more than 35 years, Health & Medicine’s Birth Center Task Force has provided policy expertise and leadership for the birth center movement in Illinois. Birth centers provide a space for women to give birth outside of their homes following a routine, uncomplicated, and low-risk pregnancy. They offer cost-effective, high-quality prenatal care and obstetrical services in conjunction with other community health care services. They offer women an additional option when choosing where to give birth in Illinois. Over the past 10 years there have been over 2500 successful births in Illinois at the five currently licensed and accredited birth centers, and with effective hospital transfer agreements in place there have been no adverse outcomes.

In parallel with this work, Health & Medicine has supported related efforts to create a licensing category for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in Illinois, and participate in the promulgation of Rules and reimbursement for CPMs. The Birth Center Task Force of HMPRG received a grant from the Pritzker Family Foundation to study expansion and sustainability of community birth options; a report with actionable recommendations will be available in 2026. Health & Medicine is grateful for the leadership of grassroots organizations in achieving progress in birth centers and home birth options.

In September 2025, the Task Force was part of the Illinois Birth Justice Summit effort convening leaders and community partners to “Connect, Learn, Organize, and Ignite” around sustainable birth justice and reproductive justice care workforces. Hosted by the Black Midwifery Collective, Health & Medicine assisted with strategic planning and facilitation and contributed to the launch of the Illinois Birth Justice State Strategic Plan—a roadmap for advancing birth equity and community-led care statewide.

Background

Where birth centers are operating in Illinois (as of 2025)

The Birth Center at PCC South, Berwyn (opened 2014 in a federally-qualified health center; Illinois’ first licensed center)
The Birth Center of Bloomington-Normal, Bloomington (opened 2016)
Burr Ridge Birth Center, Burr Ridge (opened 2021)
Birth Center of Chicago, Chicago (opened 2021)
NorthPointe Birth Center, Roscoe (opened 2021; first hospital-owned freestanding center in Illinois)

In development:
Quincy Medical Group Birth Center, Quincy (expected 2026)
Chicago South Side Birth Center, Chicago (expected 2026; founded and led by Black midwives)

Learn More

Illinois Birth Center Task Force of the Health & Medicine Policy Research Group

The purpose of the task force is to promote the expansion and sustainability of freestanding birth centers in Illinois. This includes issues relating to birth center availability, access, care coordination, regulations, staffing, training, equity, reimbursement, safety, and quality; other related community birthing concerns are also of interest. The task force meets via Zoom on a bi-monthly basis, and membership is open to both individuals and organizations.