Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois is a place that feels like home for families who can’t be. It is a playful, courageous, hopeful place.
Our Mission
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois provides a supportive place for families to stay while their child is receiving medical care.
History of Our Chapter
A campaign to bring the first Ronald McDonald House to central Illinois started in 1982 after research showed that an average of 45 children from outside of Springfield were being admitted to Springfield hospitals each day. In 1984, a capital campaign began, followed by a groundbreaking in 1985. The Springfield, IL Ronald McDonald House officially opened its doors on February 15, 1986.
Learn about major milestones of the Springfield House...
The second Ronald McDonald House in central Illinois is in Peoria. It will serve families with children receiving care at any area medical facility, including OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois and UnityPoint Health. Located in the heart of the Peoria medical district, we broke ground in September 2018, with the grand opening on December 16, 2019.
Read more about the Peoria House here...
The History of Ronald McDonald House Charities
In 1974 when the daughter of Philadelphia Eagles' tight end Fred Hill was diagnosed with leukemia, he and his wife soon discovered the difficulties faced by families of sick children. They spent sleepless nights on hospital chairs and ate vending machine meals. They also met many other families who faced similar situations: they had traveled long distances to bring their children to a medical facility, but couldn’t afford a hotel room. The Hill’s joined with the Eagles’ general manager, Jim Murray, and Dr. Audrey Evans, head of the pediatric oncology unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and together they created the first Ronald McDonald House. That first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974. Today there are more than 300 houses in 30 countries around the world.
"Labor of Love: Give from the Heart to Keep Families Together"
On March 7, 2014, RMHCCI launched its "Labor of Love" campaign to
expand and renovate the Springfield Ronald McDonald House for the
first-ever total remodel of the House since opening in 1986. The
construction was completed in mid-October and the House re-opened to
families on October 17, 2014.
Learn more about the Labor of Love campaign...
Learn more about RMHCCI families