Cook County Health unlocks cost savings through strategic energy partnership

For Cook County Health, operating one of Chicago's largest hospitals means managing enormous energy demands around the clock. With John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital alone consuming more than 2.9 million therms of natural gas annually, the health system recognized the urgent need for a strategic approach to energy management—one that could deliver both environmental impact and meaningful cost savings in alignment with Cook County’s Clean Energy Plan.

Since 2021, JLL has provided comprehensive facilities management services across four of Cook County Health's buildings, including Stroger Hospital, Provident Hospital and two medical office buildings. But it was JLL's specialized energy and sustainability expertise that unlocked transformational results for the health system.

When Cook County Health engaged JLL's energy and sustainability experts, the team immediately recognized the potential for significant energy optimization. Drawing on familiarity with utility energy efficiency programs, JLL's energy experts understood exactly how to navigate incentive programs like the Peoples Gas Energy Efficiency Program. This industry expertise allowed them to quickly identify the gas optimization study program as an ideal first step for Cook County Health.

Working closely with the Peoples Gas Energy Efficiency Program, JLL facilitated three comprehensive gas optimization studies since 2023 at no cost to Cook County Health. These detailed assessments, similar to ASHRAE Level 2 energy audits, identified numerous opportunities for both immediate and long-term energy improvements. The team maximized electric utility incentives across both hospitals, securing $125,409 in total rebates from ComEd while achieving approximately $167,409 in annual energy cost savings through various electrical efficiency improvements.

The Steam Plant Optimization Study alone uncovered eight energy-saving opportunities totaling 290,686 therms of potential annual savings. One early win—steam pipe insulation implemented in April 2023—has already delivered 44,000 therms in annual savings and reduced operational costs by over $35,000.

The Hospital Building Heating Systems Study identified five additional efficiency measures, including preheating clean steam for sterilization and optimizing radiant water loops throughout the building, for an additional 118,000 therms in savings potential.

The JLL team also worked with Peoples Gas to secure a $45,913 incentive that covered the entire cost of a steam trap replacement project at Provident Hospital which has already generated approximately $39,671 in annual energy cost savings while improving system reliability.

Building on these findings, JLL’s energy and sustainability team developed a comprehensive three-phase implementation plan focused on the highest-impact projects. Phase 1, currently underway, centers on repairing and recommissioning a large condensing economizer, which will deliver 96,000 therms in annual savings while securing a $285,000 incentive from the utility program.

The impact of JLL's energy optimization extends far beyond the bottom line. Building automation system programming and operational improvements have resulted in more consistent heating and cooling, reducing temperature-related complaints and freeing up maintenance staff to focus on other critical tasks.

These operational efficiencies create a powerful ripple effect across the entire healthcare ecosystem. When building systems run optimally, patients experience a more comfortable, welcoming environment that supports healing while healthcare providers can focus on delivering care in spaces optimized for productivity and wellbeing.

Even seemingly minor enhancements yield results. The implementation of LED exit signs ensures reliable, high-quality lighting conditions that contribute to safe environments. Building on this success, Stroger has already planned a comprehensive LED lighting upgrade that will further elevate the facility’s operational performance and enhance patient comfort while working toward the County’s Clean Energy Plan goals.

The Cook County Health partnership demonstrates how health systems can leverage energy management strategies to advance environmental goals and operational efficiency in healthcare. With Phases 2 and 3 of the implementation plan expected to be completed over the next 18-24 months, Cook County Health will continue optimizing heating systems and implementing additional heat recovery and steam distribution upgrades. The complete program is projected to save 277,000 therms annually and reduce operating costs by over $220,000 per year, supported by $983,000 in utility incentives.

As healthcare systems face an increasingly complex operating environment, energy optimization represents a critical lever to pull to build operational resilience while maintaining the fundamental mission of providing exceptional patient care.

This represents just the beginning of Cook County Health's energy optimization journey. The team continues to identify additional opportunities across the health system's portfolio, leveraging both natural gas and electric utility programs to deliver ongoing savings and environmental benefits that strengthen the organization's ability to weather future challenges.

When health systems optimize their energy infrastructure, they're not just reducing costs or meeting sustainability goals—they're creating the operational foundation that enables them to focus resources on what matters most: delivering life-saving care to their communities.

To learn how JLL's Energy & Sustainability Services can help your healthcare organization unlock similar savings and benefits, contact our healthcare experts.