Heavy equipment has been at work near the headquarters of SIU Medicine, but the medical institution says it’s part of an overall cleanup effort, rather than immediate plans for new construction.
Demolition permits were filed at the beginning of February for single family homes at 529 and 539 Hay St., 700, 704, 714, 716 and 718 N. Walnut St., 1034 and 1042 N. Franklin St. and 422 W. Calhoun Ave. At the end of February, additional demolition permits were filed for homes at 640 Herndon St. and 712 N. Walnut St.
SIU Medicine is headquartered at 801 N. Rutledge Ave., with several other clinics and departments located nearby. According to Sangamon County tax records, SIU acquired the recently demolished homes between November 2024 and June 2025.
“SIU Medicine is being thoughtful and strategic about our campus footprint, both for today’s needs and for the long-term future of the institution. The removal of these houses near the School of Medicine is part of that planning process,” Steve Sandstrom, a spokesperson for SIU, wrote in response to an inquiry from SBJ. He said the demolitions were scheduled to be completed by March 6, weather pending.