Illinois Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Illinois and its 102 counties, from federal sources, each shown beside the U.S. figure.
· Data from Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Illinois? See your options under Illinois law →
Illinois ranks #19 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the second-most distressed fifth: its score of 64 means it is more distressed than 64% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 102 counties.
How Does Illinois Compare With the U.S.?
Illinois is above the U.S. figure on 2 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: auto loan delinquency (5.6%) and mortgage delinquency (1.15%). Credit card delinquency is 11.6%, 0.8 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $54,050, $9,150 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Illinois is up 5 percentage points from 6.6% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 13.8% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Illinois
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Illinois has eased from the 15th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 18th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 72 to 66 over the same span.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical). The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005. Illinois's State Distress Index of 64 (moderate-high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Illinois and the U.S.
Delinquency rates measure balances 90 or more days past due as a share of total balances in each loan category. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per adult with a credit file, not per resident.
Download all states (CSV)Illinois and the U.S.: 5 Household Debt Measures (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
The states ranked closest to Illinois (#19) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
Change Since 2019
Q4 2019, the last fourth quarter before the pandemic, is the baseline. Credit card delinquency is higher than in Q4 2019 in 51 of 51 jurisdictions, and auto loan delinquency is higher in 33.
| Metric | Q4 2019 | Q4 2025 | Change | U.S. Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 6.6% | 11.6% | +5 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.5% | 5.6% | +1.1 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.27% | 1.15% | −0.12 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $47,510 | $54,050 | +13.8% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,410 | $4,260 | +24.9% | $4,350 |
Illinois Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Illinois mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts.
All residential foreclosures in Illinois go through Circuit Court under the IMFL. Non-judicial power of sale is not available for mortgages.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: Right to reinstate (cure arrears only) expires 90 days after all the mortgagors have been served with summons or by publication, or have otherwise submitted to the court's jurisdiction. When service is by publication, the 90 days count from the first date of publication. If the court makes an express written finding that the mortgagor reinstated, the right to reinstate is not available again under the same mortgage for five years from the dismissal of that foreclosure.
- Post-sale redemption: In limited cases, until 30 days after the court confirms the sale: this special right applies only when the lender that was a party to the case (or its nominee) bought a home at the sale for less than the amount needed to redeem.
- predatory lending
- foreclosure rescue fraud
How Illinois Sits Among the States
Illinois's credit card delinquency rate is 11.6%, 0.8 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #22 of 51. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 64 (moderate-high state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
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 37.5: on average, Illinois's counties are more distressed than 37% of U.S. counties. Across all 3,144 counties the average is 50.0, the middle of the scale.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander County | 88 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Pulaski County | 83 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Saline County | 83 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Franklin County | 81 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Jackson County | 79 | high county distress | Labor |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Washington County | 4 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Effingham County | 5 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Woodford County | 5 | exceptionally low county distress | Labor |
| Piatt County | 5 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
The most distressed county in Illinois is Alexander County (88, very high county distress); the least distressed is Monroe County (0, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 102 Illinois counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Illinois
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 16,110 mortgage complaints from Illinois since 2012, 128.7 per 100,000 residents, 6.3 below the U.S. rate of 135. Illinois ranks #18 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| 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
The filing rate is bankruptcy cases filed in a year, from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, per 100,000 residents. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Illinois's rate of 211.0 is 41.9 above the U.S. rate of 169.1.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
Credit Distress: Illinois
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 11.3% of people with a credit file in Illinois have debt in collections, 2.6 percentage points below the U.S. average 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. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: Illinois
SNAP enrollment and unemployment give context for the debt figures above. The unemployment rate measures joblessness among people in the labor force. SNAP enrollment reflects each state's program rules and reach as well as need, which is why it is not part of the State Distress Index.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture 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 43.2 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #24 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, June 2026), 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 the 51 states and DC, 0.8 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 5 percentage points from 6.6% in Q4 2019.
How does Illinois's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $54,050 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Illinois, $9,150 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 13.8% higher than in Q4 2019. Illinois ranks #30 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Illinois?
Auto loan delinquency in Illinois is 5.6% as of Q4 2025, 0.4 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #16 of 51. The rate is up from 4.5% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Illinois use?
Illinois mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. See our Illinois foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Illinois's State Distress Index score?
Illinois scores 64 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 64% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #19 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-most distressed fifth. The score is built from 4 equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. It ranks states against each other at one time. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical) for the country over time. The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Illinois?
The CFPB has received 16,110 mortgage complaints from Illinois since 2012, 128.7 per 100,000 residents, 6.3 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #18 of 51. Companies responded to 98.3% of Illinois complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Illinois?
Illinois had 26,409 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 211.0 per 100,000 residents, 41.9 above the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #14 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 57.4% and Chapter 13 for 41.7%. That is 3.8% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Illinois have debt in collections?
11.3% of people with a credit file in Illinois have debt in collections, 2.6 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #30 of 51. 15.3% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 1.6 percentage points below the U.S. average of 16.9%. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax), Q1 2025.
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Illinois?
1,519,111 residents of Illinois received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 12.1%, 1.3 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #14 of 51. That is 18.8% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 2.1 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Illinois's financial safety net?
Illinois scores 43.2 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #24 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.6% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (12.1%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which Illinois counties have the highest financial distress?
Alexander County is the most distressed county in Illinois with a County Distress Index score of 88 · very high county distress. Pulaski County (83 · very high county distress), Saline County (83 · very high county distress), Franklin County (81 · very high county distress) are next. Monroe County is the least distressed at 0 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 102 counties at /counties/illinois/.
How long can foreclosure take in Illinois?
Illinois mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: Right to reinstate (cure arrears only) expires 90 days after all the mortgagors have been served with summons or by publication, or have otherwise submitted to the court's jurisdiction. When service is by publication, the 90 days count from the first date of publication. If the court makes an express written finding that the mortgagor reinstated, the right to reinstate is not available again under the same mortgage for five years from the dismissal of that foreclosure. Homestead exemption: $50,000 per individual (when 2 or more individuals own the property, each one's exemption is capped at their ownership share of $100,000). Full details at /help/foreclosure/illinois/.
Where does Illinois rank for financial distress?
Illinois scores 64 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 64% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #19 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-most distressed fifth. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Labor. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #24 (Weak).
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. Published once a year with fourth-quarter figures.
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 (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.