Best Illinois Mortgage Lenders of 2026

Illinois homebuyers can get help with down payments and closing costs with these programs through the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

  • Available to: Eligible first-time and repeat homebuyers with at least a 640 credit score can qualify.
  • Income limits: Vary by county (see IHDA income limits)
  • First-time homebuyers only? No
  • Loan options: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages
  • Down payment and closing cost assistance: Program provides 5% of the purchase price (up to $7,500) in assistance for a down payment and closing costs. Requires a cash contribution of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price, whichever is greater. Assistance is interest-free and deferred for the life of the mortgage.

  • Available to: First-time and repeat homebuyers with at least a 640 credit score are eligible.
  • Income limits: Vary by county (see IHDA income limits)
  • First-time homebuyers only? No
  • Loan options: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages
  • Down payment and closing cost assistance: Provides 4% of purchase price, up to $6,000, in assistance for a down payment and closing costs. Requires a cash contribution of only $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price, whichever is greater. Assistance is forgiven monthly over 10 years.

  • Available to: First-time and repeat homebuyers with at least a 640 credit score are eligible.
  • Income limits: Vary by county (see IHDA income limits)
  • First-time homebuyers only? No
  • Loan options: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages
  • Down payment and closing cost assistance: Provides 10% of the purchase price (up to $10,000) in assistance for a down payment and closing costs. Requires a cash contribution of $1,000 or 1% of the purchase price, whichever is greater. The interest-free loan is repaid over 10 years.

Your trust is important to us. To earn it, we conduct a rigorous, unbiased analysis with a transparent methodology and maintain strict editorial standards and independence.

Selecting Mortgage Lenders
We selected the largest U.S. commercial banks by asset volume, according to the Federal Reserve, and analyzed Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data to identify the top direct-to-consumer mortgage originators by portfolio volume. Additional lenders were included based on their relevance to our users, using metrics like monthly search volume.

Rating Mortgage Lenders
U.S. News scores lenders based on multiple factors in three major categories – affordability, eligibility and customer service – identifying the highest overall performers. Factors are weighted based on a nationwide survey of consumers’ top considerations when choosing a home loan.

Collecting and Reviewing Data
U.S. News uses Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data for actual loan costs and terms, typically from the previous calendar year. We also gather information from lenders’ websites and conduct direct surveys to fill gaps. Clear, transparent website information benefits consumers. Lenders may update their offerings quarterly, so we fact-check our data each quarter for changes.

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