Top 10 Hospitals in Illinois 2026-27: Northwestern Memorial, Rush Lead U.S. News Rankings

Illinois has once again placed several major medical institutions among the country's leading hospitals, according to the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

The latest assessment places two Chicago hospitals at the top of the Illinois regional list. Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center share the No. 1 position, while the University of Chicago Medical Center follows at No. 3.

The rankings consider hospitals across a broad range of medical specialties, procedures and conditions, giving patients a snapshot of the institutions that stand out for clinical performance and specialised care.

1. Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Northwestern Memorial Hospital takes a share of the top position in Illinois and continues its long run of recognition from U.S. News.

The hospital has retained its place on the 2026-27 Best Hospitals Honor Roll for the 15th consecutive year and is nationally ranked in 10 clinical specialties. Its strongest national placements include gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, pulmonology and lung surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, and neurology and neurosurgery.

Northwestern Memorial is also ranked among the nation's top 10 in all 10 specialties for which it received a national ranking this year.

2. Rush University Medical Center

Rush University Medical Center shares the No. 1 regional position with Northwestern Memorial.

The Chicago-based hospital has appeared on the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll for seven consecutive years. Nine of its specialties are nationally ranked, including neurology and neurosurgery, geriatrics, orthopedics, cardiology and diabetes and endocrinology.

Rush's neurology and neurosurgery program ranks No. 7 nationally, while orthopedics ranks No. 9. Its cardiology program is also among the top 15 in the country.

3. University of Chicago Medical Center

The University of Chicago Medical Center holds the third position in the statewide ranking.

As one of the state's major academic medical centers, it provides highly specialised treatment across numerous areas and remains one of the most prominent healthcare institutions in Illinois.

4. Advocate Christ Medical Center

Advocate Christ Medical Center is tied for fourth place in Illinois.

Located in the Chicago area, the hospital is recognised for its broad range of specialised and complex medical services and remains one of the state's highest-ranked regional hospitals.

4. Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals

Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals also occupy the No. 4 position in the Illinois ranking.

The NorthShore system has multiple hospitals serving communities in the northern Chicago suburbs, with specialised care available across a wide range of medical disciplines.

6. Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital ranks sixth in Illinois.

The hospital also earned a national ranking in obstetrics and gynecology and received several high-performing designations for procedures and medical conditions. Northwestern Medicine reports that Central DuPage was recognised as high performing in 16 eligible procedures and conditions.

7. Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital comes in at No. 7 statewide.

The hospital earned national rankings in five specialties, including diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, and orthopedics.

8. Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital ranks eighth among Illinois' top regional hospitals.

The Park Ridge-based hospital is part of Advocate Health and is recognised for providing a broad range of specialised services to patients across the Chicago region.

9. Endeavor Health Edward Hospital

Endeavor Health Edward Hospital occupies the ninth spot on the Illinois list.

Based in Naperville, the hospital is among the leading regional medical centres recognised in the latest U.S. News assessment.

10. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital completes the state's top 10.

The hospital, located in the northwest Chicago suburbs, rounds out the list of Illinois institutions receiving the highest regional placements in the latest ranking.

How U.S. News Evaluates Hospitals

The U.S. News rankings are not based on a single measure. Hospital performance is assessed across different areas of care, including specialties, procedures and medical conditions.

Factors used in the broader evaluation include clinical outcomes, specialist assessments, nursing resources, technology and patient-related measures. Rush said U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals for the 2026-27 rankings, with only 178 receiving at least one top-50 national specialty ranking.

This means a hospital's overall position should not necessarily be interpreted as a measure of quality for every type of treatment. Patients considering care should also examine a hospital's performance in the specific specialty or procedure they require.

More Illinois Hospitals Earn Recognition

The recognition extends beyond the top 10.

A total of 21 Illinois hospitals met U.S. News' standards for Best Regional Hospitals in the latest rankings. The list includes institutions outside the Chicago area, demonstrating that high-performing hospitals are spread across the state.

For example, Memorial Hospital Belleville was among those recognised and tied for 19th in Illinois.

The latest rankings therefore offer a broader picture of Illinois healthcare, with major academic centres in Chicago joined by hospitals serving communities across the state.

Why the 2026-27 Rankings Matter

The latest results reinforce Chicago's position as a major healthcare hub in the United States. Northwestern Memorial and Rush's continued presence at the top also highlights the depth of competition among Illinois' leading medical institutions.

For patients, however, a statewide ranking is only one part of the decision-making process. The most relevant hospital can vary depending on the illness, procedure, specialist, insurance coverage, location and availability of treatment.

The 2026-27 rankings nonetheless provide a useful starting point for people comparing major hospitals across Illinois.