🎓 Find Out What LPN Programs Cost in Your Zip Code
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Accredited LPN Programs & Colleges in Illinois
Chicago's City Colleges system, ATS Institute of Technology, and suburban community colleges serve the metro area with flexible scheduling including evening and weekend tracks. Downstate programs at Carl Sandburg CC, John A. Logan CC, and others offer lower tuition with less admissions competition. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation approves all programs.
| School | City | Type | Program Length | Approx. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Colleges of Chicago – Malcolm X College | Chicago | Community College | 12 months | $5,200 |
| Heartland Community College | Normal | Community College | 12 months | $5,800 |
| John A. Logan College | Carterville | Community College | 12 months | $5,100 |
| Kankakee Community College | Kankakee | Community College | 12 months | $5,400 |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey | Community College | 11 months | $5,600 |
Tuition figures are approximate and reflect in-state rates. Contact each school for current pricing, financial aid, and enrollment deadlines. Always confirm the program is approved by the Illinois Board of Nursing.
Online & Hybrid LPN Programs in Illinois
No Illinois LPN program is fully online — clinical hours at approved facilities are required. ATS Institute in Chicago offers the most flexible hybrid scheduling in the metro area. Downstate hybrid options are limited but growing as rural programs adapt to working-adult student needs.
Hybrid programs are ideal for working adults, parents, or anyone who needs scheduling flexibility. Typical hybrid programs cover 40–60% of coursework online, with the remainder as on-site clinical hours at approved partner hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and clinics.
For a complete list of online-friendly LPN programs available to Illinois residents, visit our dedicated guide:
Requirements to Enroll in a Illinois LPN Program
Illinois requirements vary significantly between Chicago-area private schools (often more flexible admissions with higher tuition) and community colleges (competitive admissions with lower tuition). Illinois is NOT an NLC compact state — your license works only in Illinois. Factor this into your career planning if cross-border work interests you.
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Minimum age of 18 (some programs accept students at 17 with parental consent)
- Completed prerequisite courses — typically includes basic math, English, and introductory biology or anatomy & physiology
- Passing score on an entrance exam (TEAS or HESI A2 are most common)
- Criminal background check and drug screening
- Current CPR/BLS certification (American Heart Association)
- Up-to-date immunization records including TB test, Hepatitis B, and flu vaccine
Quick Facts: LPN Licensing in Illinois
After completing an approved program, graduates must pass the NCLEX-PN examination and apply for licensure through the Illinois Board of Nursing. Most candidates receive their results within 48 hours of testing.
🎓 Find Out What LPN Programs Cost in Your Zip Code
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LPN Salary & Job Outlook in Illinois
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2024 OEWS data), LPNs in Illinois earn an average of $68,450 per year ($32.91/hour). This places Illinois above the national LPN average of $62,340.
Salaries in Illinois typically range from $49,200 for entry-level positions to $86,400 for experienced nurses in high-demand specialties or metro areas.
LPN Salary by City in Illinois
| City / Metro Area | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $72,400 |
| Rockford | $66,200 |
| Peoria | $65,800 |
| Springfield | $64,200 |
Job Outlook
Employment of LPNs in Illinois is projected to grow 3% over the next decade — about as fast as average for all occupations. The state sees approximately 2,400 annual job openings for LPNs, driven by retirements, career transitions, and growing demand in skilled nursing facilities and home health.
Where LPNs Work in Illinois
The majority of LPNs in Illinois work in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care, which together employ roughly 35% of the state's practical nurses. Other common employers include hospitals, physician offices, home health agencies, and outpatient care centers. Shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends can add $2–$5/hour on top of base pay.
First Job Tips for New LPN Graduates
Landing your first LPN position in Illinois is usually straightforward given current demand. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers actively recruit new graduates and often offer sign-on bonuses. Staffing agencies are another option — they can place you quickly and often pay above-average hourly rates. Once you have 6–12 months of experience, you'll qualify for positions in hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices.
🎓 Find Out What LPN Programs Cost in Your Zip Code
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Explore More Nursing & Healthcare Careers in Illinois
Whether you're starting out or planning your next credential, these guides can help:
Illinois
Illinois LPN Scope of Practice — What You Can and Can't Do
Illinois LPNs are regulated by the Illinois Board of Nursing under IDFPR (Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation). Illinois is NOT an NLC state.
You Can Direct Patient Care
- Medication administration (oral, IM, SubQ, topical, rectal, inhaled)
- Focused assessments and ongoing patient monitoring
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Vital signs and point-of-care testing
- Foley catheter insertion and management
- Tracheostomy care and suctioning
- Contributing to care plans
- Supervising CNAs/UAPs
Conditional IV Therapy
- LPNs may perform IV therapy after completing an IDFPR-approved IV therapy course
- Must work under the direction of an RN or physician
- Peripheral IV starts and IV fluid/medication administration permitted after training
- LPNs CANNOT administer IV push medications, blood products, or chemotherapy
- LPNs CANNOT access or manage central venous lines
You Cannot RN-Only Functions
- Comprehensive assessments
- Formulating or modifying care plans
- IV push medications
- Blood product or chemotherapy administration
- Central line management
- Triage
- Independent practice
Illinois LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs
| School | Format | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Colleges of Chicago | On-campus + clinical | 12–18 months | LPN-to-ADN bridge at multiple Chicago campuses |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Hybrid | 18–24 months | LPN-to-BSN bridge with online courses and local clinicals |
| Excelsior University | 100% Online | Self-paced | Online + local clinicals, no waitlist |
Illinois Board of Nursing Contact
- Website: idfpr.illinois.gov — Nursing
- Phone: (217) 785-0800
- Address: 320 W Washington St, Springfield, IL 62786
Ready for the Next Step?
Bridge from LPN to RN — Expand Your Scope and Your Paycheck
Tired of scope limitations? RNs earn 35–50% more, perform initial assessments, create care plans, start IVs without extra certification, and run triage. Bridge programs let you earn your RN while you keep working.
Explore LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs →