Illinois
Illinois is one of a shrinking number of states with its own estate tax — and one with an unusually low exemption (~$4M) that catches middle-class families. The state runs an unusually robust aging-services infrastructure through the Department on Aging and operates MyCare Illinois for dual-eligibles in select counties.
Illinois is one of about a dozen states that still levy a separate estate tax, and its exemption (approximately $4M) is much lower than the federal threshold (~$13.99M in 2025). For families with a paid-off Chicago-area home plus retirement savings, the IL estate tax is a real planning consideration — graduated rates can reach into the double digits at higher brackets.
Illinois operates MyCare Illinois, a managed-care program for people enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligibles) in a defined set of counties. The program coordinates Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term-care services through a single managed-care organization. For eligible families, it can simplify the dual-coverage navigation considerably — but enrollment defaults and opt-out timelines deserve attention.
The Illinois Department on Aging operates Community Care Program (CCP), a robust home-and-community-based services framework for income-eligible seniors that is broader than the standard Medicaid HCBS waiver. CCP is one of the better state-funded aging programs in the country. If your parent doesn't qualify for Medicaid LTC, CCP may still cover meaningful in-home care.
Medicare in Illinois
Chicago metro Advantage saturation, downstate plan availability, MyCare for dual-eligibles.
Open guide →
Medicaid & LTC in Illinois
HealthChoice Illinois, MyCare dual-eligible managed care, the 5-year look-back.
Open guide →
Care Settings & Costs in IL
Cook County vs downstate cost differential, Supportive Living Program (SLP).
Open guide →
Legal & Financial — IL
IL estate tax (~$4M exemption), POA reforms, probate.
Open guide →
The Caregiver's Life — IL
Community Care Program (CCP), federal FMLA only, sibling dynamics.
Open guide →
For when you don’t want to dig
Medicaid agency, Area Agency on Aging, Adult Protective Services, free Medicare counseling, legal aid, official forms, and every statute we cite. All in one page.
OCT 15 → DEC 7
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Chicago has very high MA penetration; downstate counties less so. SHIP counselors statewide.
ANNUAL
Illinois Medicaid redetermination cycle
Confirm continued eligibility for HealthChoice Illinois and MyCare Illinois enrollees. Renewal paperwork is the most common reason for coverage gaps.
APRIL 15
Illinois estate tax filing (where applicable)
Illinois estate tax returns generally track the federal filing schedule. Estates above the IL exemption (~$4M) must file even if no federal return is required.
Recent from Illinois
Reviewer to be assigned · May 21
Reviewer TBD · May 21
Reviewer TBD · May 21
Caregiving rules differ meaningfully across state lines. If you’re weighing where to relocate your parent, these comparisons matter.
How we research Illinois-specific guidance.
Every state page is built from three sources: the state’s own statutes and regulatory filings, federal CMS and SSA documents that apply, and direct input from at least one credentialed reviewer who practices in or is licensed in that state. We re-review every state page quarterly. Illinois was last fully reviewed on May 21, 2026 by Reviewer to be assigned.