Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Celebrates 90th Anniversary by Honoring the Communities it Serves

Nine nonprofits working to improve the health of the state receive grants

CHICAGO, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has been rooted in Illinois with a mission to provide quality access to health care to improve the wellbeing of our state. Serving 9 million members, 102 counties and more than 1,300 zip codes – BCBSIL's legacy of investing in Illinoisians is a shared commitment we have held since our inception. Today, we celebrate serving our state for nearly a century by giving back to the very communities we serve every day.

We have chosen nine non-profit organizations across Illinois working to improve the health and livelihood of their communities to receive grants totaling $90,000. These grants are in addition to the more than $4 million in community funding BCBSIL has already invested this year. BCBSIL employees have also set a goal of volunteering 90,000 hours to honor the milestone.

"As we celebrate 90 years of serving Illinois, we are grateful for the trust our members, customers and communities have placed in us," said BCBSIL President Brian Snell. "Giving back has always been a core part of who we are, and these grants reflect our commitment to investing in the organizations that are addressing local needs and creating opportunities for healthier futures. We look forward to continuing this work for generations to come."

My Block, My Hood, My City and The Alzheimer's Association were on hand to receive their grants and to share about the impact it will make to their mission.

"We are grateful for our partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and their amazing support of our work in communities across the state," said Delia Jervier, executive director for the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter. "More than 250,000 Illinois residents are living with Alzheimer's, supported by more than 465,000 family caregivers who need real help. This grant will allow us to expand care, support and education programs so more families in Illinois can access the resources they need when they need them most."

"At My Block, My Hood, My City, we believe you can't love a community from a distance. You have to show up, build relationships, and put resources into the work," said Jahmal Cole, Founder and CEO of My Block, My Hood, My City. "BCBSIL's investment is a statement that our neighborhoods matter, that community-led work matters, and that building a healthier Illinois requires all of us to take responsibility for the places we call home. This partnership allows us to keep doing the neighborhood-level work that creates healthier, stronger communities.

Grant recipients include:

• Chicago: My Block, My Hood, My City
• State-wide: Alzheimer's Association
• Lake County: Hope Elevation Project
• Will County: National Hook-Up of Black Women
• Bloomington: The Immigration Project
• Springfield: Birth to Five Illinois
• Champaign: Dreaam
• Carbondale: This Able Veteran
• East St. Louis: Caritas Family Solutions

For 90 years, BCBSIL has worked alongside Illinois communities to help people access the care, support and resources they need to live healthier lives. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain dedicated to strengthening the health and wellbeing of communities across our state and building on the legacy of service that has defined us since 1936.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving approximately nine million members and operating in all 102 counties across the state. For nearly 90 years, BCBSIL has been committed to helping its members and communities access quality health care while supporting their health and well-being. BCBSIL is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois