Travel nurses in Illinois have access to 81 furnished rental listings, 3 reviewed hospitals, and ongoing pay data on CircleRN. All data is submitted by working travel nurses.
367 openings across 34 cities from $628–$3,749/week.
39 hospitals in Illinois are hiring travel nurses, 354 openings in all. Each page lists the openings by specialty with advertised weekly pay, cost of living and housing nearby.
81 furnished rentals with a median rent of $2,000/month.
For the same specialties, Illinois pays about 2% above the national median, across 198 open listings. Each opening is compared with the national median for its own specialty.
Statewide, prices run at the national average overall. Individual metros vary, so check the city page for where you are going.
| Category | Index | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100.0 | at the national average |
| Housing | 93.9 | 6% lower |
| Utilities | 85.0 | 15% lower |
| Groceries and goods | 103.8 | 4% higher |
| Services | 100.2 | at the national average |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024, where 100 is the national average.
A two-bedroom runs about $1,470/month, the median across 237 Illinois cities (HUD Fair Market Rent, 2025, utilities included).
The federal ceiling on tax-free lodging reimbursement across Illinois runs $110–$234 per night depending on the area, plus up to $92 a day for meals (GSA, FY2026). That is a maximum, not what agencies pay.
Illinois is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so you need a Illinois license to work here even if you hold a multistate license.
Hospitals in Illinois reviewed by travel nurses
Of the 8 nursing specialties with open contracts in Illinois, CVICU pays the most at $2,786 per week and Med-Surg the least at $2,256.
| Specialty | Open contracts | Median weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Med-Surg | 53 | $2,256 |
| ER | 25 | $2,298 |
| PCU | 20 | $2,306 |
| OR | 18 | $2,654 |
| Telemetry | 17 | $2,343 |
| ICU | 14 | $2,335 |
| CVICU | 12 | $2,786 |
| L&D | 11 | $2,602 |