Sharon O'Keefe

State regulators voted to approve the plan despite concerns by staff that it might be too big.

State regulators questioned U. of C.'s projections for new patients and the $270 million price tag.

"There's a lot of trauma here, but there's also a lot of cancer," one doctor said at a community forum.

The medical center has released new details of its plan as the deadline for public comment looms.

U. of C. will expand its cancer treatment services to help pay the $20M annual cost to run the center.

The plan includes a new emergency room and converting the Mitchell Hospital building to a cancer center.

"This is horrible for our community,” one activist said of the decision not to open it in Chicago Lawn.

The university announced Thursday it would build a trauma center instead of partnering with Sinai.

The university said it has committed to 12 years in the South Loop offering primary and specialist care.

The University of Chicago said it would take advantage of a new state rule to expand trauma care.

A state panel denied the plan in July, saying the beds were unnecessary and the rooms too big.