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.
They have done extra for my dad related to meals. They look out for him more than they have to and do a good job of calling my sister when issues arise that need addressed
My mother is extremely happy to be there and so are my sister and I. There are plenty of activities for the residents to participate in. We go to the family dinner once a month. The food and the company is...
Mom moved into The Clare at the start of the year and so far it’s been a very good experience. The staff has been so friendly and kind, and mom is making use of the amenities. We have dinner with her quite...
Plum Landing I give a 5 star rating. They have compassionate employees, excellent food, & a welcoming atmosphere! I would recommend them to others who are searching for a senior living community.
A few things I really like about Prime Healthcare Fox Knoll Village is they are friendly, cooperative staff, clean good food. I would recommend this community to others.
What the facility lacks in modernization is more than made up for by staff care and friendliness. They are quick to communicate any health issues that occur, respond immediately to ensure resident safety,...
Facilities were good size and kept very clean. Food was very good. I would recommend them to others who are searching for a place for their loved one. However this is the only place I visited but we were...
So much to do. Many great activities planned and run by residents. Staff here is outstanding! Fitness center and pool are great. Several dining venues and many options for meals. Executive chef always tries...
My wife and I have been living in Efficient living wing at StoryPoint in Naperville for almost two years. The meals for vegetarian residents is a nightmare. Most of the days we help ourselves with PB&J,...
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...
Discovery is a very friendly community with nice people. My apartment is spacious and reasonable. I enjoy the meals and chats with the Director of Dining Services. I would recommend Discovery Village!
Mom moved into The Clare at the start of the year and so far it’s been a very good experience. The staff has been so friendly and kind, and mom is making use of the amenities. We have dinner with her quite...
We were thrilled with the accommodations. My mom's room was decorated in soothing colors, soft pillows and beautiful artwork. It was like a wonderful hotel. The staff were friendly and attentive. No place is...
I just renewed my lease for another year, I give them good ratings. Everything runs pretty good here and it's always clean. I recommend Gage Park senior suites.
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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