In the early hours of New Year’s Day, Chicago-area hospitals celebrated the arrival of their first newborns of 2026, marking the beginning of a new era with joy and hope.

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At precisely 12:02 a.m., Ascension Saint Alexius Women and Children’s Hospital in Hoffman Estates had the honor of welcoming Kendall Quinn. The newest addition to the Buckley family, Kendall weighed 5 pounds, 5 ounces and stretched to 20 inches long. Her proud parents, Tye and Ian Buckley, embraced the moment as they celebrated the birth of their daughter.

Not far behind, Brandon Alexander Whittington made his debut into the world at Sinai Chicago Hospital, arriving just six minutes and 41 seconds after midnight. Tipping the scales at 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measuring a little over 20 inches, Brandon’s arrival brought immense joy to his family.

A little later, at 1:46 a.m., Ana and Serghei Mindru of Yorkville experienced the joy of parenthood with the birth of their son, Matthew, at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook. As the first baby born at this hospital in 2026, Matthew’s arrival added another layer of excitement to this special day.

These first births of the year not only fill their families with happiness but also symbolize new beginnings for the entire community, setting a hopeful tone for the year ahead.

Parents Ana and Serghei Mindru of Yorkville welcomed a baby boy, Matthew, into their family at 1:46 a.m. for the first baby born at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook.

Matthew weighs 6 pounds, 13 ounces and is 19.5 inches long.

The first baby of 2026 for Advocate Healthcare was born at Christ Medical Center. Winona LaCount was born to parents Olivia Gorney and Ryan LaCount of Chicago.

Winona was born at 12:50 a.m., weighing 10 pounds and 6 ounces and 22.5 inches long.

The first boy born at Advocate Christ Medical Center was Noah Robert Garcia, who was born at 3:43 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces and 20 inches long to parents Gino Garcia and Samantha Scuito of Joliet.

Juliana Marie Poore was the first baby born at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital.

Juliana was born to Cayla Calfee Poore and Preston Poore and weighs 8 pounds 8 ounces and is 21.5 inches long.

Sofia Aylani was the first baby born at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields’ Family Birth Center.

She was born to Maria Navarro and Danis Avila of South Chicago Heights at 9:02 a.m.

She is 7 pounds 10 ounces and 20 inches long.

Congratulations to the parents!