Chicago Area IRB (CHAIRb)

The Chicago Area Institutional Review Board (CHAIRb) is the IRB of record for Chicago Area Patient Centered Outcomes Research Network (CAPriCORN).

CAPriCORN institutions have agreed to rely on a single IRB (CHAIRb) with the authority to review biomedical and behavioral human subjects research that fulfills the scope and mission of CAPriCORN in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations and VA and VHA requirements, including 38 CFR 16, 17; 45 CFR 46; 21 CFR 50, 56, 312, 812; and VHA Handbook 1200.05.  This IRB is registered with the OHRP, DHHS as University of Illinois Chicago IRB #7 – Chicago Area Institutional Review Board (CHAIRb) (IRB 00009693) and registered with the FDA for review of FDA research (IORG 0000080).

The following institutions are involved in CAPriCORN and thus rely on CHAIRb:

  • University of Illinois Chicago (FWA 0000083)
  • Rush University (FWA 00000482)
  • University of Chicago (FWA 00005565)
  • Cook County Health & Hospitals System (FWA 00001802)
  • Loyola University (FWA 00000104)
  • Northwestern University (FWA 00018700)
  • NorthShore Medical Group (FWA 00003000)
  • AllianceChicago (FWA 00007448)
  • Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (FWA 00001011)
  • Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (FWA 00000290)
  • Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital (FWA 00001478)
  • Advocate Aurora Health (FWA00005399)
  • University of Wisconsin Madison (FWA00005399)

The arrangement concerning CHAIRb is formalized and each institution’s responsibility is outlined in an IRB Service Agreement between the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and each of the institutions listed above.

CAPriCORN was established with infrastructure funding from the Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI) as one of 11 Clinical Data Research Networks.  CHAIRb functions as the central IRB for CAPriCORN and serves to facilitate the review of human subjects research for the research network. Specifically, the CHAIRb is responsible for reviewing all applicable research a) to determine whether the research meets the criteria of human subjects research [as defined in 45 CFR 46.102(f), 38 CFR 16.102 (f) or 21 CFR 50.3(g) and 56.102(e)]; b) to determine whether the research is exempt from IRB review; and c) through convened or expedited review prior to its initiation when criteria for a. is met and b. is not met.

The CHAIRb does not review or approve classified human subjects research or planned emergency research; therefore, this research cannot be conducted under the CAPriCORN scope or mission.