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Cost by state · Illinois
The Cost of Elder Care in Illinois (2026)
Illinois care costs run near the national median, and the state has one of the longest-running in-home programs in the country — with a recent change that lets even spouses be paid as caregivers.
Updated June 2026 · Costs calibrated to 2025 published medians
| Type of care in Illinois | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| In-home care (per hour) | $34/hr |
| In-home care (~30 hrs/week) | $4,420/mo |
| Adult day care (per day) | $92/day |
| Assisted living | $5,700/mo |
| Memory care | $7,100/mo |
| Nursing home (private room) | $9,200/mo |
How Illinois pays for care: the Community Care Program
Established back in 1979, Illinois's Community Care Program (CCP) — run by the Illinois Department on Aging — helps residents 60+ stay at home instead of entering a nursing facility. It's notable for not requiring an HCBS waiver: if your parent has Illinois Medicaid and meets the functional criteria, services can begin without a long waiver waitlist.
- CCP covers care coordination, in-home help, adult day services, emergency home-response systems, and automated medication dispensers.
- Eligibility generally requires being 60+, an assessed need for nursing-level care (a "Determination of Need" score), and non-exempt assets under about $17,500 (the home and one vehicle are excluded).
- A landmark 2026 change: spouses are now explicitly eligible to be paid caregivers under CCP — a meaningful expansion for Illinois families.
Where to start in Illinois
Call the Illinois Department on Aging Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 and ask for your local Care Coordination Unit, or reach your Area Agency on Aging. A hospital discharge planner can also refer you.
Estimate Illinois care costs for your situation
Use the free calculator to adjust care type and hours for Illinois, see what support may cover, and email yourself the plan — or get the full 16-page Planning Kit.
Open the Illinois calculator → Get the Planning Kit — $24 →Frequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in Illinois in 2026?
Assisted living in Illinois averages around $5,700 per month as a planning estimate, near the national median. Memory care runs higher at about $7,100, and a private nursing-home room averages roughly $9,200, with Chicago-area costs running above downstate figures.
What is the Illinois Community Care Program (CCP)?
The Community Care Program, run by the Illinois Department on Aging since 1979, helps residents 60+ stay at home rather than enter a nursing facility. It covers in-home help, adult day services, care coordination, and safety technology. Notably, it does not require an HCBS waiver, so eligible families often avoid long waitlists.
Can a spouse be paid to provide care in Illinois?
As of a 2026 change, yes — spouses are now explicitly eligible to be paid caregivers under the Community Care Program, provided they meet training and background-check requirements and the care recipient qualifies. This was a significant expansion; contact your local Care Coordination Unit for details.
Cost figures are planning estimates calibrated to published 2025 median rates and adjusted for Illinois; actual prices vary by provider, region within the state, and level of care. Program names and rules are summarized for general education and change over time — confirm current details with the official state agency. This is not legal, financial, or benefits advice. © 2026 CarePath.