Where to apply depends on which housing authority serves your area

Section 8 in Illinois is run by local public housing authorities, not by the state or a single office. The authority that covers your city or county is the one that takes your request. There is no statewide application — you contact the authority where you live or want to live.

The largest is the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), which serves Chicago. Outside Chicago, each county or region has its own authority. You can find your local authority by searching "[your city or county] public housing authority" or by calling 211 Illinois, which can tell you which authority covers your address and whether they are currently taking requests.

Most authorities do not have a continuous first-come, first-served line. Instead, they open their request lists for a set period — sometimes a few weeks, sometimes a few months — then close them when they reach capacity. The list can stay closed for years. Calling your local authority or checking their website is the only way to know whether they are open right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your local public housing authority directly — there is no single Illinois Section 8 office, and each authority has its own request process and timeline.
  • Most authorities open their request lists only during certain windows and then close them, so you must call or check their website to see if they are accepting requests now.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or immigration status, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID.
  • The wait from request to receiving a voucher can be months to years, depending on the authority and how many people are ahead of you on the list.
  • Once you have a voucher, you have a set time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a landlord willing to accept Section 8 before the voucher expires.

What documents you need before you contact your authority

Gather these items before you call or visit. Having them ready speeds up the process and prevents you from having to make a second trip or call.

Proof of income: Recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), a letter from your employer, or tax returns if you are self-employed. If you receive unemployment, SNAP, TANF, or Social Security, bring the award letter or a recent statement. If you have no income, bring a statement explaining that.

Proof of citizenship or immigration status: A birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, or a valid visa or work permit. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for Section 8 in Illinois, so the authority will ask for this. If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, bring the document that proves it.

Social Security numbers: For yourself and every person living in your household, including children. Bring Social Security cards or a letter from Social Security if you do not have the card.

Photo ID: A driver's license, state ID, or passport. The authority needs to verify who you are.

Proof of residency: A utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency showing your current address. Some authorities ask for this; others do not, but having it prevents delays.

How to submit your request

Contact your local authority by phone or in person. Most do not accept requests by mail or email — you must call or show up. Call 211 Illinois first if you do not know which authority covers you, or search the Illinois Housing Development Authority website for a list of all local authorities and their contact information.

When you call, tell them you want to request Section 8 and ask whether they are currently accepting requests. If they say yes, ask what documents you need and whether you can apply over the phone or must come in person. If they say no, ask when they expect to open the list again. Write down the date and call back then.

If you apply in person, bring all the documents listed above. The authority will fill out a form with you, take copies of your documents, and give you a receipt or confirmation number. Keep this receipt — it proves you requested Section 8 on that date.

If the authority allows phone requests, they will ask you the same questions and may mail you a form to sign and return. Do not delay sending it back; your request date is when the authority receives your completed form, not when you first called.

What happens after you submit your request

The authority will put you on a waiting list in the order they received your request. They will conduct a background check, verify your income, and check your rental history. This takes weeks to months depending on how busy the authority is.

Once you are approved, the authority will issue you a housing voucher — a document that tells landlords the authority will pay a portion of your rent. You then have a set time, usually 60 to 120 days, to find a rental unit and a landlord willing to accept the voucher. If you do not find a place within that window, your voucher expires and you lose it.

The authority will give you a list of landlords who have worked with Section 8 before, but you can approach any landlord. Not all landlords accept Section 8 — some refuse because the process takes time or because they prefer to set their own rent. You will need to search, call, and negotiate.

How long the wait typically is

Wait times vary widely by authority. The Chicago Housing Authority's wait list is currently closed and has been for years; when it was last open, new requests went to the back of a list with tens of thousands of people ahead. Some smaller county authorities have shorter waits — anywhere from a few months to a few years.

There is no way to move up the list faster. The authority processes requests in the order they were received. If you are on the list and your circumstances change — you lose a job, your rent goes up, you become homeless — tell the authority, but this does not bump you forward. It may change how much rent subsidy you receive once you are approved.

What to do if your local authority is not accepting requests

If the authority's list is closed, you have limited options. You can ask to be notified when it reopens, though not all authorities offer this. Call back every few months to check, or visit their website to see if they post opening dates.

Some people move to a different county or region where the authority's list is open. This is legal — you can request Section 8 in any authority's area, not just where you currently live. However, once you receive a voucher, you can usually only use it in that authority's area. Check whether the authority you are considering will let you use the voucher if you move later.

If you are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness, contact your local homeless services agency or call 211. Some authorities prioritize homeless applicants or have separate programs. Your local agency can tell you whether this applies to you.

What disqualifies you from Section 8 in Illinois

The authority will deny your request if you do not meet these basic requirements: you must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; your income must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income (this varies by county); and you cannot have been evicted for non-payment within the last three years in most cases, though some authorities have different timelines.

A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions do. Convictions for drug manufacturing or distribution, or for crimes of violence, can result in denial. The authority will review your record and tell you if it is a barrier.

If you are denied, the authority must tell you why in writing. You have the right to request a hearing to challenge the decision. Ask the authority for their appeal process when they deny you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request Section 8 if I am not currently living in Illinois?

Yes, but you must request it from the authority in the area where you plan to live. You cannot request it from out of state and have it transferred later. If you are moving to Illinois, contact the authority in your destination city or county and ask whether they are accepting requests. Some authorities require you to already live in their area; others do not.

What if I am on the waiting list and my income goes up?

Being on the waiting list does not lock in your income. When you are approved and issued a voucher, the authority will recalculate your income at that time. If your income has risen above the limit, you may be denied. If it is still below the limit, your rent contribution will be higher because Section 8 calculates your share based on current income.

Do I have to accept the first apartment the authority approves?

No. Once you have a voucher, you search for apartments yourself. The authority will inspect any unit you find to make sure it meets housing quality standards, but you choose where to live. However, you must find a place within your voucher's time limit, usually 60 to 120 days, or you lose the voucher.

Can I request Section 8 if I have an eviction case pending?

Yes. An active eviction does not disqualify you. However, if you are evicted before your request is processed, that eviction will appear on your record and may result in denial. If you are facing eviction, contact your local legal aid office or call 211 to find emergency rental assistance or eviction prevention programs while you wait for Section 8.

What if the landlord I find refuses to sign the Section 8 paperwork?

The landlord has the right to refuse Section 8. You will need to find a different unit. This is why the time limit on your voucher matters — you must search actively and be ready to move quickly when you find a willing landlord. The authority can give you a list of landlords who have accepted Section 8 before, which can speed up your search.