Illinois Section 8 Calculator & Housing Authority Guide (2026)

How Section 8 Operates in Illinois

Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)

IHDA creates affordable housing financing across Illinois. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are administered by municipal and county housing authorities including Chicago Housing Authority and Housing Authority of Cook County.

Source of Income Protections & Tenant Rights

Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, "source of income" is a protected class statewide. It is illegal for landlords, property owners, or leasing agents anywhere in Illinois to reject prospective tenants simply because they hold a Section 8 voucher.

Fair Market Rents & Voucher Payment Standards

The Chicago metropolitan area features specialized exception payment standards in mobility opportunity areas, enabling voucher holders to access higher-cost neighborhoods across Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will counties.

Without extra HUD approval, a payment standard is usually any amount from 90% up to 110% of the published Fair Market Rent for that unit size (24 CFR 982.503). Enter your PHA’s written dollar amount in the calculator; otherwise we use 100% of FMR as a stand-in.

How HAP is calculated · Pay by bedroom size