Jesse Brown VAMC receives funding for continued infrastructure improvements

Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center received funding for nonrecurring maintenance projects in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. 

The funding is part of a record $4.8 billion in nationwide VA spending to modernize, repair, and improve health care facilities in FY2026 via the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-recurring Maintenance program.

Funding project(s) for Jesse Brown VAMC in the second quarter of FY2026 are: 

• ARC Flash
• Site Prep Rm 1345 1.5MRI
• Remodel Blood Draw
• Replace Failed 1-AUH-1 and Remote Chiller, Endoscopy
• Replace AHU-S10C GU-Vascular-Dialysis
• Rehab Ogden Elevators
• Renovation for ER-EDOU
• Blood Lab Remodel
• Upgrade Nurse Call
• Replace Obsolete Fire Alarm Devices
• Renovate Electronic Security System
• Chilled Water Plant and Energy Center Expansion
• Renovate Sterile Processing
• Security Corrections
• Correct Mental Health Safety Deficiencies
• Upgrade O.R. Non-surgical Lighting & Med-gas
• Elevator Modernization – Taylor Building
• EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades – Chicago, IL

 “This funding enables Jesse Brown VA Medical Center to continue advancing and upgrading its facilities, ensuring a safe, efficient environment that supports high-quality care for Chicago’s Veterans,” said Executive Director Chris Cauley.

Of the total $4.8 billion committed for fiscal year 2026, VA has obligated a total of $1.064 billion. Obligation of funds includes:

• $795 million to repair and upgrade outdated infrastructure systems in medical facilities.
• $255 million for maintenance and modernization of facility infrastructure to support future electronic health record system updates.
• $13 million for major building upgrades like elevators, electrical systems, and boiler plants.

This investment is just one of many ways the Trump Administration is making VA work better for Veterans.  For example, VA has: 

 Enrolled more than 100,000 new Veterans in VA health care in 2026. 

• Opened 34 new VA health care facilities since Jan. 20, 2025, Opening 34 new VA health care facilities, expanding health care access for Veterans around the country.
• Reduced the backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits by 67% since Jan. 20, 2025, after it increased 24% during the Biden Administration.
• Completed 82,083,918 direct care appointments in FY2025, up 4.1% from FY2024.
• Offered Veterans more than 2.3 million appointments outside of normal operating hours, giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
• Permanently housed 51,936 homeless Veterans across the country in FY2025, the highest total in seven years.