Illinois Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 102 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Illinois? See your options under Illinois law →
Illinois ranks #8 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 102 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Illinois Compare to the National Average?
Illinois is above the national average on 2 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 11.6% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 5.6%, and total debt per capita at $54,050.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Illinois has risen 5.0pp and total household debt has grown 13.8%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Illinois
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 44.6 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 45% of their own quarterly histories since 2005. Illinois's State Distress Index of 70.9 (Most distressed fifth) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, labor, and the safety-net buffer.
Illinois vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)Illinois vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to Illinois (#8) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Quintile | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 70.9 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| Delaware | 72.7 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| Michigan | 72.2 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| West Virginia | 70.4 | Most distressed fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 6.6% | 11.6% | +5.0pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.5% | 5.6% | +1.1pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.27% | 1.15% | -0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $47,510 | $54,050 | +13.8% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,410 | $4,260 | +24.9% | $4,350 |
Illinois Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Illinois primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
All residential foreclosures in Illinois go through Circuit Court under the IMFL. Non-judicial power of sale is not available for mortgages.
- Post-sale redemption: 7 months from date of service/attachment, or 3 months from entry of judgment of …
- predatory lending
- foreclosure rescue fraud
Strong Safety Net as Partial Buffer
Despite higher distress metrics, Illinois's safety net score of 58.2 (Moderate) provides a partial buffer that many states lack. Medicaid covers 18.6% of the population, the Homeowner Assistance Fund remains active, and state foreclosure protections add additional guardrails. Even so, the Distress Index reads 70.9 (Most distressed fifth) — safety nets slow crises, they don't prevent them.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Illinois on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Illinois's 102 counties average 45.9 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Distress Fifth Distribution
Loading interactive map…
Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander County | 75.0 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| Pulaski County | 71.5 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| Vermilion County | 70.5 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| Franklin County | 69.6 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| Winnebago County | 69.3 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
Alexander County ranks #271 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | 11.1 | Least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Woodford County | 21.8 | Least distressed fifth | Labor |
| Clinton County | 22.4 | Least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Piatt County | 23.3 | Least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| Washington County | 23.9 | Least distressed fifth | Labor |
The gap between Illinois's most and least distressed counties is 63.9 points — Alexander County (75.0, Most distressed fifth) vs. Monroe County (11.1, Least distressed fifth). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 102 Illinois counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Illinois
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 15,405 mortgage complaints from Illinois since 2012 — 123.1 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 129.3 per 100K. Illinois ranks #18 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 782 | 977 | 866 | 906 | 811 | 914 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Illinois
Bankruptcy filings reflect the downstream consequence of sustained financial distress — when households exhaust savings, fall behind on debt, and run out of alternatives. Illinois's filing rate exceeds the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: Illinois
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 11.3% of Illinois residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 15.3% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 36.2% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Illinois
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Illinois
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. Illinois scores 58.2 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #10 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Illinois?
The credit card delinquency rate in Illinois is 11.6% as of Q4 2025, ranking #22 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 6.6% in 2019.
How does Illinois's household debt compare to the national average?
Illinois residents carry $54,050 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 13.8% since 2019. Illinois ranks #30 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Illinois?
Auto loan delinquency in Illinois stands at 5.6% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #17 nationally. The rate has risen from 4.5% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Illinois use?
Illinois primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full Illinois foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Illinois above or below the national average for financial distress?
Illinois scores 70.9 on the State Distress Index (Most distressed fifth), ranking #8 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 20.9 points above the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, labor, and safety net and buffer. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 44.6 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 45% of their own quarterly histories since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Illinois?
The CFPB has received 15,405 mortgage complaints from Illinois since 2012, a rate of 123.1 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #18 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 129.3 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.4% of Illinois complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Illinois?
Illinois had 26,409 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 211.0 per 100,000 residents — above the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #14 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 57.4% and Chapter 13 for 41.7%. Filings changed +3.8% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Illinois have debt in collections?
11.3% of individuals in Illinois have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #30 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 15.3% of Illinois residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Illinois?
1,693,396 residents of Illinois receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 13.5% — above the national rate of 11.2%. This ranks #9 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -10.7% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 14.2%.
How strong is Illinois's financial safety net?
Illinois scores 58.2 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #10 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.6% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (13.5%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (active), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 48.1.
Which Illinois counties have the highest financial distress?
Alexander County is the most distressed county in Illinois with a County Distress Index score of 75.0 (Most distressed fifth), ranking #271 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Pulaski County (71.5), Vermilion County (70.5), Franklin County (69.6) round out the top distressed counties. Monroe County is the least distressed at 11.1 (Least distressed fifth). See all 102 counties at /counties/illinois/.
How long can foreclosure take in Illinois?
Illinois uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In Illinois, the bank can foreclose in roughly 210–420 days from first missed payment to sale — though individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs, and bankruptcy filings. Homeowners have a right to cure: Right to reinstate (cure arrears only) expires 90 days before the end of the red…. The homestead exemption is $15,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/illinois/.
Where does Illinois rank for financial distress?
Illinois scores 70.9 on the State Distress Index (Most distressed fifth), ranking #8 of 51 jurisdictions. 2 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Labor. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #10 (Moderate).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Illinois Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.