10 Babies Born Jan. 1 At Silver Cross Hospital, Joliet Boy Is The First

NEW LENOX, IL — It could have been the full moon coming Jan. 3, or the abrupt weather changes of late, but 10 babies were vying to be the first born at Silver Cross Hospital in 2026.

But the title ultimately went to baby Aaron L. of Joliet, who made his debut at 12:01 a.m., making him the first baby born in the Chicago area in 2026.

Baby Aaron weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 20 inches long. He’s the third baby born to parents Lisbeth and Carlos.

“Silver Cross was ringing in the New Year with babies!” said Kristina Salcedo, MSN, RNC-OB, Director of Woman and Infant Services at Silver Cross. “Ten babies to be exact. That’s a New Year’s Day record since I’ve been here the past seven years.”

Of the 10 newborns, six were baby girls, and four were baby boys.

“It was definitely a busy day for our staff,” Salcedo added. “But what a great way to start the New Year!”

Baby Aaron received a big basket of gifts from the Woman and Infant Services team to mark his historic arrival.

Silver Cross is known as the “baby hospital” of Will County, averaging more than 3,000 babies every year. And for babies who need extra care, Silver Cross is also home to Will County’s only Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit, the Amy, Matthew and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Silver Cross.