A History of Support in Unique Times

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We are facing unprecedented times globally, as a nation and locally. Despite the circumstances these unique times we are currently facing, together, we are unwavering in our commitment to serving the needs of Chicagoland. In addition to our mission that supports developing educated, informed, and engaged citizens, we draw strength from our history of providing resources both in anticipation and in preparation for disaster.

In 2012, in response to the 9/11 tragedies, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation Advanced Emergency Response Center at Rush was created as a first-of-its-kind treatment center for a deadly attack or pandemic. Today, this Emergency Response Center was the first hospital to mobilize its infrastructure to receive COVID-19 patients.

“We had received a large amount of funding from The McCormick Foundation for advanced emergency preparedness, with roots in 9/11 and the ebola outbreak. The funding provided allowed us to create an infrastructure that allows us to expand our care for the Chicagoland area in events like this.”


– James DeVries, Instructor of Emergency Medicine

Historians at Cantigny Park, the Colonel's former estate in Wheaton, recently shared the little-known story about the newspaper publisher who left behind a legacy of philanthropy now supporting COVID-19 relief efforts. ‘Full circle': McCormick Place turns into a field hospital a century after namesake survived the flu pandemic.

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