Illinois Stimulus Check: What To Know in 2024

If you’re waiting for news updates about Illinois stimulus checks for 2023 or 2024, you should know that no new checks are coming for state residents. While a stimulus check can help many low-income families bridge the gap between income and expenses, there are other resources available if you need help.

Some Illinois residents, however, may qualify for the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, which can lower their taxable income and may help them get bigger tax refunds. Read on to learn more about qualification requirements, how much credit you may get, and how to claim it.  

Is There an Illinois Stimulus Check in 2024?

There’s no new stimulus check for Illinois announced for 2024. Lawmakers in the state tried but failed to pass a child tax credit last year, but they recently proposed a scaled-back version of the same policy to spur economic growth.

The proposal aims to create a refundable tax credit of $300 per child for families earning less than the state’s median adjusted gross income, which is $50,000 for single parents and $75,000 for married couples.

While that proposal is still in the works, there are other financial assistance programs for seniors and low-income families you may qualify for, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, which we discuss in this guide.  

“If you live in Illinois, I wouldn't look for a stimulus but see if you qualify for state tax credits,” encourages Teresa Dodson, debt expert and founder of Greenbacks Consulting. “There are actually quite a few state programs that are helpful for low-income families,” Dodson adds.

Illinois Stimulus Check 2023

There was no stimulus check in 2023 in Illinois, but eligible residents were able to receive three Economic Impact Payments starting in the Spring of 2020.

These one-time payments were issued to counteract the financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in America. You may have received the stimulus payments in 2023 if you filed your tax returns late.   

You can also file your income tax return for the year 2023 to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit to reduce your taxable income.

How Do Illinois Stimulus Checks Work?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (IRS) is not a stimulus package but a tax credit for those with moderate or low income. It is a benefit that reduces the amount of state tax you owe and can result in a larger tax refund. You must file a tax return even if you’re not generally required to file and meet other eligibility requirements to qualify.

In 2023, the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was expanded, so individuals, heads of households, joint filers, and married filing separate tax filers may qualify for it even if they don’t meet the EITC federal income guidelines.

Who Is Eligible for Illinois’s Stimulus Checks

It’s important to keep in mind that you won’t be getting any Illinois stimulus checks even if you qualify for EITC. Instead, it will reduce your taxable income when you file your 2023 income tax return.

You may qualify if you:

• Be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien all year
• Be at least 18 years old by the end of 2023
• Have worked and earned an income under $63,398 (depending on qualifying children and filing status)
• Have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Have an investment income of less than $11,000
• Not file Form 2555, Foreign Earned Income

You don’t need to have dependents to get the Illinois EITC, but your credit amount can increase if you have one or more qualifying children.

How Much Do You Receive and When

Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit is calculated as 20% of the federal EITC. Here are the maximum credit amounts for the 2023 tax year:

• $120- no qualifying children
• $799- one qualifying child
• $1,321- two qualifying children
• $1,468- three or more qualifying children

How To Track the Status of Your Stimulus Check

As we’ve mentioned before, qualifying for the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit doesn’t mean you’ll get a stimulus check.

If EITC reduces your taxable income and you’re eligible to receive a tax refund, you’ll receive it in your bank account through direct deposit or paper check once you’ve filed your tax returns. It may take six to eight weeks after you file taxes to get a refund from the Department of Revenue.

How To Apply for Illinois’s Stimulus Checks

If you qualify for Illinois EITC, you can claim it on your IL-1040, Illinois Individual Income Tax Return. You can find instructions on how to complete Schedule IL-E/EIC here. You can also seek the help of a tax preparation company to help fill out the appropriate forms and file your federal and state income tax returns.

Get Your Illinois Stimulus Check

While there was no stimulus check in 2023 for Illinois residents, you can file your tax returns for the year 2023 to claim the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit to lower your tax liability.

While you may be able to get a larger tax refund if you qualify for the income tax rebate or credit, keep in mind there are other resources available for Americans facing financial hardship.

Additionally, debt relief programs in Illinois can provide several relief options, like credit counseling or debt settlement plans, that can help you tackle large amounts of unsecured debt.

Need information about stimulus packages in other states? Visit our guides on stimulus checks in Iowa, Indiana stimulus checks, and Wisconsin stimulus checks.