Obamacare Illinois 2026: Get Covered Illinois Plans & Costs Guide

About 466,000 Illinoisans enrolled in Obamacare Marketplace plans during plan year 2026, plus about 3 million in Illinois Medicaid and All Kids (the state’s CHIP program). For Hispanic and immigrant families in Chicago, Cicero, Aurora, Joliet, and across the state, Illinois offers a relatively expansive set of public coverage options.

If you live in Illinois — Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, or downstate cities like Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, or Carbondale — this guide explains what plans are available, what they cost, and how to enroll.

How Obamacare works in Illinois

Illinois now runs its own state-based Marketplace, Get Covered Illinois, which went fully live for plan year 2026. Illinois used to rely on HealthCare.gov as a federally-facilitated Marketplace, but that transition is complete: for 2026, Illinois residents enroll at Get Covered Illinois, not HealthCare.gov. The plans, premium tax credits, and eligibility rules are still the federal ACA framework — only the enrollment site and customer service are now state-run.

The basic flow:

1. Enter your zip code, household size, and estimated 2026 income at Get Covered Illinois or with a licensed agent.
2. The site checks Illinois Medicaid first. If you do not qualify, it shows Marketplace plans with subsidies applied.
3. Compare plans by premium, deductible, network, and the carriers in your county.
4. Pick one and enroll. Coverage starts the first of the next month.

If you enrolled through HealthCare.gov in past years, expect to set up your account on Get Covered Illinois. A licensed agent can walk you through the switch.

Illinois expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults up to 138% FPL qualify.

Illinois has multiple coverage paths. Talk to a licensed Illinois agent — free, Spanish available.

Hispanic enrollment in Illinois

Illinois has a substantial Hispanic population — about 18% of Illinoisans identify as Hispanic or Latino. The Mexican and Puerto Rican communities are concentrated in:

• Cook County / Chicago (~26% Hispanic) — Mexican, Puerto Rican
• Cicero, Berwyn, Stickney — predominantly Mexican
• Pilsen, Little Village, Humboldt Park (Chicago neighborhoods) — Mexican, Puerto Rican
• Lake County (~22% Hispanic) — Waukegan, North Chicago
• Kane County (~33% Hispanic) — Aurora, Elgin
• Will County (~17% Hispanic) — Joliet, Romeoville
• Winnebago County / Rockford — growing Mexican population

Spanish-language enrollment assistance is widely available through Get Covered Illinois Navigators, licensed agents, FQHCs, and community organizations like Instituto del Progreso Latino, Erie Family Health Center, and Esperanza Health Centers.

Top carriers in Illinois (2026)

The major insurance companies offering Marketplace plans in Illinois for 2026 include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) — broadest statewide network
• UnitedHealthcare: on Get Covered Illinois for 2026 and 2027
• Cigna — selective Illinois counties
• Ambetter — competitive Silver premiums
• Molina Healthcare — Chicago metro
• Oscar Health — Chicago metro
• MercyCare HMO: on Get Covered Illinois for 2026 and 2027

Chicago metro has the widest carrier selection. Downstate Illinois generally has fewer carriers, but BCBSIL is available statewide.

How much does Obamacare cost in Illinois?

Real numbers from KFF and Illinois Department of Insurance data:

• Illinois enrollees who got financial help paid about $140 per month in 2026 after subsidies.
• About 85% of Illinois enrollees received the federal Premium Tax Credit in 2026.
• Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSR) on Silver plans bring deductibles down significantly for income-eligible enrollees.

For real 2027 prices for your age, county and income, ask a licensed agent or check Get Covered Illinois.

Get your real Illinois number. Free quote from a licensed agent.

Illinois Medicaid and All Kids

Illinois has several state programs:

• Illinois Medicaid (Medical Assistance Program) — adults up to 138% FPL
• Moms & Babies — pregnant women and infants
• All Kids — Illinois CHIP, covers all children under 19 regardless of immigration status
• Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA): closed since July 1, 2025
• Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS): Medicaid-equivalent for immigrants 65 and older; new enrollment paused

The HBIA and HBIS programs are state-funded and not federally matched, so eligibility and capacity have shifted with state budget decisions. Check current status with a navigator or licensed agent.

All Kids is especially important for immigrant families — it covers all Illinois children under 19 with comprehensive benefits regardless of status, similar to programs in California and New York.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Illinois

Major Illinois FQHCs include:

• Erie Family Health Center (Chicago) — large bilingual network
• Esperanza Health Centers (Chicago) — bilingual focus
• PCC Community Wellness Center (Chicago suburbs)
• Heartland Health Centers (Chicago)
• Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness (Chicago South Side and south suburbs)
• VNA Health Care (Aurora, Kane County)
• Crusader Community Health (Rockford)
• SIHF Healthcare (Southern Illinois)

Search the HRSA Find a Health Center tool for FQHCs near your zip code.

Immigrant eligibility in Illinois

Illinois has expanded coverage options for immigrants beyond the federal baseline:

• Lawfully present immigrants can buy Marketplace plans, but starting January 1, 2027 only green card holders, Cuban or Haitian entrants and COFA migrants qualify for federal subsidies.
• DACA recipients do NOT qualify for Marketplace plans. Since August 25, 2025, federal rules exclude DACA recipients from Marketplace coverage and from premium tax credits. State-funded programs may still be an option, so check with your state.

Source: HealthCare.gov, immigration status: “Warning: As of August 25, 2025, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are no longer eligible for Marketplace coverage.” Verified against the source on August 20, 2026.

• All Kids covers all children under 19 regardless of immigration status.
• HBIS provides Medicaid-equivalent coverage to some immigrants 65 and older regardless of status, but new enrollment is paused; HBIA closed in July 2025.
• Mixed-status families apply together — only eligible members are enrolled.

Get Covered Illinois does not share immigration information with ICE. Federal and state law protect this.

If you do not have a Social Security Number but are lawfully present, you can still apply using your immigration document numbers. Read our guide on applying without an SSN.

When to enroll in Illinois

Illinois enrollment runs through Get Covered Illinois, the state-based Marketplace, which may set its own extended dates:

• Open Enrollment 2027: November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1
• All Kids and Illinois Medicaid: Year-round
• Special Enrollment Periods available year-round for qualifying life events

Qualifying life events: loss of other coverage, marriage, birth or adoption, moving zip codes, US citizenship, significant income change.

How to apply for Obamacare in Illinois

Four routes:

1. Get Covered Illinois directly at getcovered.illinois.gov — free, official, the state Marketplace, English and Spanish
2. A licensed agent or broker — free to you, paid by the insurer, what Nexus Insurance provides
3. A Get Covered Illinois Navigator — non-commercial, available in every county
4. In-person at an FQHC enrollment event or community organization

What you need:

• Names, dates of birth, and SSNs (or immigration document numbers) for everyone applying
• Estimated 2026 household income
• Information about any current insurance
• Employer information if anyone has a job offer of coverage

Ready to enroll? Get a free quote from an Illinois licensed agent. Spanish available.

Common Illinois-specific questions

“I work in Chicago restaurants — can I get Obamacare?” Yes. The Marketplace uses estimated annual income. Restaurant workers, gig workers, and self-employed people all qualify.

“My employer offers insurance but it is too expensive.” If your employer’s self-only plan would cost more than 9.96% of your household income in 2026 (10.22% for 2027 coverage), you may qualify for a Marketplace subsidy instead.

“My family is mixed-status — what programs are open to us?” Many. Lawfully present family members can enroll in Marketplace plans. Children regardless of status can get All Kids. HBIA closed in July 2025 and HBIS is not accepting new applications. An agent can map the right combination.

“I have a pre-existing condition.” Cannot be used against you. Federal law since 2014.

Cross-references

• Obamacare: The Complete US Guide
• The Health Insurance Marketplace
• Who Qualifies for Obamacare
• Income Limits for Subsidies
• How to Apply for Obamacare
• Applying Without an SSN

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Insurance products vary by state and individual circumstances. Always speak with a licensed insurance agent for guidance specific to your situation. Nexus Insurance partners with US-licensed agents serving Illinois residents in English and Spanish. Contact us for a free quote.