Watchdogs target Rush for what they say is its‘woke’ agenda, misuse of tax dollars

By Tate Rosentreter | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Two watchdog groups are calling attention to Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, one for what it says is the system’s prioritizing DEI and discriminatory policies, transgender ideology, and climate activism; the other for the center’s spending practices.

Executive director of consumer protection organization Consumers’ Research Will Hild told The Center Square that “Rush is betraying what should be every hospital’s core mission by using its time, energy, and taxpayer support to promote radical woke activism.”

“Not only does Rush have a history of prioritizing DEI, child sex-change procedures, and climate alarmism, the hospital also has a troubling history of questionable spending on non-medical initiatives completely unrelated to patient care,” Hild said.

Separately, national watchdog Save Our States launched a new campaign calling on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to investigate potential waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars by Rush. Save Our States sent a letter to Pritzker questioning the tax-exempt hospital’s lavish spending habits and whether public funds are being used to support patient care or executive perks.

As an example of non-medical initiatives, Hild brought up Rush’s “partnership with the Chicago White Sox.”

“This latest campaign by Consumers’ Research demonstrates that we will continue fighting for everyday consumers by holding woke hospitals like Rush accountable,” Hild said.

Rush’s media relations have not yet responded to The Center Square’s request for comment.

Consumers’ Research’s campaign against Rush includes a website detailing the group’s promotion of political ideology, TV ads played during White Sox games, a mobile billboard at the White Sox Stadium, as well as Pole Snipe posters around the stadium.

As explained in Consumers’ Research’s website initiative, Rush promotes DEI, stating online: “Our culture of respect and accountability reflects a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in everything we do.”

A few years ago, Rush CEO Omar Lateef stated: “Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is a critical part of our DNA.”

Consumers’ Research says that RUSH University Children’s Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics “implemented a DEI curriculum” that includes “‘department-wide DEI retreats’” that focus “on anti-racism education, systemic racism, restorative justice, and ‘creating affirming, inclusive and accountable spaces.’”

Rush also has given millions in the name of DEI, Consumers’ Research says, with RUSH’s board of trustees approving “a $4 million DEI investment in 2019” and later forming “a Racial Justice Action Committee to ‘respond to the murder of George Floyd; and ‘identify new ways to advance social and racial justice,’” Consumers’ Research said.

As for transgender initiatives, Rush provided “pro-LGBTQ+ indoctrination training to more than 4,000 staff and students across the health system” in 2025, according to Consumers’ Research

Although Rush paused puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy for minors in 2025, it stated at the same time that: “Rush continues to provide mental health, behavioral health and social services to gender care patients, regardless of age,” according to Block Club Chicago.

Rush is also partial to climate activism as evidenced by its commitment to “environmental sustainability,” as Consumers’ Research said, and by its statement that “climate change is fundamentally a human health issue.”

“RUSH has also committed to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030,” Consumers’ Research said.

According to Consumers’ Research, the campaign against Rush is a part of Consumers’ wider initiative “Bad Medicine” that exposes “nonprofit health systems across the country” that are “prioritizing political ideology over patients.”

In its letter to Pritzker, Save Our States noted that Rush has received nearly $75 million in state tax dollars since he took office. The letter also points out that Rush implemented employee layoffs because of “financial struggles” while also paying its CEO more than $3.6 million in annual compensation.

Save Our States’ Nonprofit Hospital Accountability Report found that Rush spent over $194 million in federal awards in fiscal year 2025. The report also said Rush made $10.2 million Medicare overpayments due to “incorrect billing.”