In Illinois, the license families see for assisted living is "Assisted Living Establishment", issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Assisted Living. A physician must complete a full assessment of the person's physical, cognitive and psychosocial condition no more than 120 days before admission, and it must reflect the current condition at move-in. The community must give 30 days' written notice on an IDPH form to the resident or representative and the ombudsman, though the 30 days may be waived in an emergency.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in Illinois was $6,219 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $74,628 a year, $19 above the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- Illinois Medicaid pays for services through the Supportive Living Program in certified supportive living facilities, a separate setting from licensed assisted living establishments. (Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, 2026)
- The physician's assessment, done no more than 120 days before admission, must document whether the person has tuberculosis infection. (Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, 295.4000, 2004)
- Unlicensed staff may give medication reminders and, under a licensed health care professional's direction, help residents take their own medicines. (Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, 295.5000, 2024)
- A community with a special Alzheimer's program must give IDPH and potential residents the disclosures that the state's Alzheimer's disclosure law requires. (Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, 295.4060, 2004)
Illinois licenses assisted living establishments and smaller shared housing establishments (16 or fewer residents) through the Illinois Department of Public Health under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act (210 ILCS 9) and 77 Ill. Adm. Code 295, and the facts below apply to both. Supportive living facilities, used by the Medicaid Supportive Living Program, are a separate setting certified by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Assisted Living. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | A physician must complete a full assessment of the person's physical, cognitive and psychosocial condition no more than 120 days before admission, and it must reflect the current condition at move-in. A physician must repeat it at least once a year and when the resident's condition changes significantly. [3] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | The physician's assessment, done no more than 120 days before admission, must document whether the person has tuberculosis infection. It must follow the Illinois Control of Tuberculosis Code. [3] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | The community must give 30 days' written notice on an IDPH form to the resident or representative and the ombudsman, though the 30 days may be waived in an emergency. Reasons are limited to needs it cannot or may not serve, unpaid charges after 30 days' notice and 15 days to pay, or breaking the contract, lease or assessment rules. [4] More on this |
| Who may give medications | Unlicensed staff may give medication reminders and, under a licensed health care professional's direction, help residents take their own medicines. Only a licensed health care professional employed by the community may give medications, including routine insulin injections, and non-licensed staff may not administer any medication. [5] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | A community with a special Alzheimer's program must give IDPH and potential residents the disclosures that the state's Alzheimer's disclosure law requires. It must provide at least 1.4 hours of services per resident per day, keep at least one staff member awake and on duty at all times, and give direct care staff 12 hours of dementia training each year. [6] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | The Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, run by the Department on Aging, serves residents of assisted living and shared housing establishments, and you can reach it through the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966. [7][8] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | Illinois Medicaid pays for services through the Supportive Living Program in certified supportive living facilities, a separate setting from licensed assisted living establishments. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services runs it, it covers services such as personal care and 24-hour staff, and the resident pays room and board. [9][10] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in Illinois
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Illinois was $6,219 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $74,628 a year, $19 above the national median of $6,200 a month. [12]
A median is the middle of the rates communities reported, so many charge more or less. Rates differ between regions and by the care a resident needs, so ask each community for its full fee list in writing. More: assisted living costs in every state, a monthly budget and the costs that aren't in the base rate.
How to check a community in Illinois
IDPH's Facility Lookup lets you search by name, ZIP or county and pick the type Assisted Living/Shared Housing Establishment. Each listing shows the facility status and past surveys, including complaint investigations, with links to survey reports (form 2567) for many of them. Search Illinois's records. [2]
The licensing agency: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Assisted Living. [1] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put Illinois's paperwork on a date
Parent Move Plan counts every task back from the move-in day, including the medical assessment and TB screening the community will ask for, so nothing lands in the last week.
Get your first 3 days freeFrequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in Illinois?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Illinois was $6,219 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $74,628 a year, $19 above the national median of $6,200 a month. A median is the middle of the rates communities reported, so many charge more or less, and rates differ between regions and by the care a resident needs.
What medical assessment does Illinois require before moving into assisted living?
A physician must complete a full assessment of the person's physical, cognitive and psychosocial condition no more than 120 days before admission, and it must reflect the current condition at move-in. A physician must repeat it at least once a year and when the resident's condition changes significantly.
Does Illinois require a TB test for assisted living?
The physician's assessment, done no more than 120 days before admission, must document whether the person has tuberculosis infection. It must follow the Illinois Control of Tuberculosis Code.
How much notice must an assisted living community in Illinois give before a move-out?
The community must give 30 days' written notice on an IDPH form to the resident or representative and the ombudsman, though the 30 days may be waived in an emergency. Reasons are limited to needs it cannot or may not serve, unpaid charges after 30 days' notice and 15 days to pay, or breaking the contract, lease or assessment rules.
Who can give medications in assisted living in Illinois?
Unlicensed staff may give medication reminders and, under a licensed health care professional's direction, help residents take their own medicines. Only a licensed health care professional employed by the community may give medications, including routine insulin injections, and non-licensed staff may not administer any medication.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in Illinois?
The Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, run by the Department on Aging, serves residents of assisted living and shared housing establishments, and you can reach it through the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Illinois?
Illinois Medicaid pays for services through the Supportive Living Program in certified supportive living facilities, a separate setting from licensed assisted living establishments. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services runs it, it covers services such as personal care and 24-hour staff, and the resident pays room and board.
Sources
- Illinois Department of Public Health: Assisted Living (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Health Systems Portal: Facility Lookup (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, 295.4000, Physician's Assessment (via Cornell LII), 2004 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, 295.2010, Termination of Residency (via Cornell LII), Part 295 as amended through 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, 295.5000, Medication Reminders, Supervision of Self-Medication, Medication Administration and Storage (via Cornell LII), Part 295 as amended through 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, 295.4060, Alzheimer's and Dementia Programs (via Cornell LII), 2004 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ill. Admin. Code tit. 89, 270.105, Definitions, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (via Cornell LII), 2019 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Illinois Department on Aging: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services: Supportive Living Program (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services: Supportive Living Program Resident Fact Sheet (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, 295.200, Definitions (via Cornell LII), 2023 (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)