When families search for senior living, Illinois is often at the top of the list — and for good reason.
People often say Illinois is a small version of the United States as a whole, meaning the state has a little bit of everything the country has to offer. With mostly moderate weather, plus plenty of farmland and rural towns to go along with its mid-size industrial cities and Chicago — the third-largest city in the U.S. — Illinois is a uniquely desirable retirement destination. It’s the quintessential Midwestern state, bordering the Mississippi River in the west, the Ohio River in the east, and Lake Michigan in the north. The “Land of Lincoln” also has a rich political history: Other than Honest Abe, several other U.S. presidents have called Illinois home, including Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama.
Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 360 independent living communities, sometimes simply called retirement communities, in Illinois.
The median monthly cost of independent living in Illinois is about $2,300.
Wow! Double wow! I am constantly impressed by the beautiful, friendly, fun filled environment at Huntley Springs and the food is excellent too! The staff is amazing and always go above and beyond...
My Mom is very happy staying there. She likes the staff, the other people living there, the social gathering for activities, the gym and the cafeteria area. Her apartment is just the right size for her....
This is a beautiful place to call home! I love it here. The staff are kind helpful and gracious. Facilities is beautiful, well kept with lots of amenities and fun things to do.
Everyone is exceptionally helpful and friendly and caring. This is the best place ever!!! Any one would be blessed to be able to have their family stay at encore. I am so lucky we found it. It had...
Overall, the facility is fine. The staff and dining are also good. An areas that I'd like to see improved is: - better feedback from the staff on my mother's general well being. The only drawback that we are...
Wow! Double wow! I am constantly impressed by the beautiful, friendly, fun filled environment at Huntley Springs and the food is excellent too! The staff is amazing and always go above and beyond...
Mercy Circle was wonderful. My dad was able to heal with support kindness and support. We highly recommend Mercy Circle to everyone.
Every time I walk through the doors of Clarendale Six Corners, I’m met with the same thing: my friends genuinely thriving. They’re more social, more engaged, and more energized than I’ve seen them in years....
he Pearl of Montclare has helped my father during his stroke recovery. The entire staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. The atmosphere makes you feel at home even though you are not able to be at your...
The resident facility is really quite impressive. There is a huge emphasis on quality care to both residents and visitors. The level of customer service provided and cleanliness are second to none. I...
What we like the most about the community is the quality of care for our loved ones. Yes, we would recommend Brookdale Orland Park to other families based on the experience so far.
Mercy Circle was wonderful. My dad was able to heal with support kindness and support. We highly recommend Mercy Circle to everyone.
We chose the smallest apartment due to finances. Now that she has lived there for a year she loves it. She tells me all the time that she feels safe living there which is huge because she was in her own...
Staff is very friendly and helpful. Administrative staff is helpful but sometimes forgets to get back to you on items. Sizes of apartments are good. The floor plans are more open than some other places, and...
I think room size is adequate, and very clean. Staff are friendly and helpful. They coordinate activities for residents and encourage participation. Are also respective of those who aren't as social as...
Illinois independent living facilities are not regulated by a state agency, so they must follow tenant and rental laws set forth by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. However, if an independent living facility shares a campus with an assisted living facility then the assisted living unit must follow Illinois assisted living requirements.
In Illinois, independent living landlords or property managers must provide residents safe and livable conditions. Landlord responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:[01]
As a renter at an Illinois independent living facility, you also have obligations you need to meet in order to continue renting:[01]
Independent living facilities must comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) just like any other rental community in Illinois. This includes protecting residents with disabilities from discrimination and offering reasonable accommodations and modifications to allow them the same rights as each resident.
Reasonable accommodations include adjusting community policies so that residents with disabilities can participate in any on-site activities or amenities. Some accommodations that landlords must provide include the following:[02]
Reasonable modifications include making changes to a resident’s unit and/or property for easier access for disabled residents. Modifications may include the following:[02]
In Illinois, independent living property owners must may for these modifications, rather than the residents with disabilities, unless it poses an undue financial burden.[02]
Illinois Department of Public Health Chicago Headquarters Offices
122 S. Michigan Ave., 7th and 20th floors
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-814-2793
69 W. Washington St., 35th floor
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-814-5278
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Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
The Illinois Department of Human Services handles housing and rental services. They currently do not publish any inspection or violation reports for any rentals, including independent living facilities. To request specific inspection information, you can try contacting the IDHS helpline at 1-800-843-6154.
Illinois Attorney General. (2024, January). Landlord and tenant rights and laws.
Illinois Department of Human Rights. (2020). Reasonable accommodations and modifications: a guide for housing professionals.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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