Welcome to Illinois Living Options! This website is here to help people with developmental disabilities, their families, and their support teams learn about the different places where people can live in Illinois. Whether you are just starting to think about living options or you are ready to make a change, you will find helpful information, maps, and tools on this site to guide you along the way.
Start Your Living Options Path Here
People with developmental disabilities are living in homes they love all across Illinois. They are making choices about their daily lives, building friendships, going to work, and being part of their communities. That can happen for you or your family member too.
This is not just a dream. It is what these services are designed to do. The state of Illinois has programs, funding, and trained staff dedicated to helping people live as independently and happily as possible. The Getting Started guide shows you how to connect with all of it.
Take a deep breath. Click on Start Here. Begin with Step 1. And know that every step you take from here is a step toward something good.
See Where Providers are in Illinois
We have several maps that can help you to locate living options near you. With CILAs, you can look for the names and information for all CILA providers in a county. The other maps help you to see where other providers are located in Illinois. You can use this information when talking with your ISC and developing a living options plan.
The Living Options Explorer
The Living Options Explorer is a tool that helps you learn about the different places where people with disabilities can live in Illinois. It lets you look at choices like community homes, family settings, and other living arrangements. You can use it to compare options and find what might work best for you or someone you care about. Click the link below to try it out.
Information and Forms You Can Use
This section has important forms and information that can help you understand your choices. You will find details about housing, Medicaid, waiting lists, your rights, and the waiver programs that pay for services. Each topic has its own page with forms you can use and links to learn more.