After Cuts, Illinois Noncitizens Will Still Get Free Healthcare

Illinois is making budget cuts to its immigrant healthcare program in what the state is calling a "difficult decision." While the cuts will affect some immigrants, the state will still provide some other noncitizens with free healthcare benefits.

While some had been advocating for these programs to stay in place, others would like all the free benefits cut for any noncitizen.

Number Of Immigrants In Illinois

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Above: Clothing is offered for sale by a vendor along 26th Street, the heart of the commercial district in the Little Village neighborhood, on May 05, 2025, in Chicago. 26th Street in Little Village, a neighborhood predominantly composed of Mexican immigrants, about 25 percent of whom are not U.S. citizens or are undocumented, canceled its annual Cinco De Mayo parade as fears of ICE raids continue to raise concerns of residents in the neighborhood.

In 2023, an estimated 1.88 million immigrants lived in Illinois, but while hard to track, an estimated 580,000 illegal immigrants lived in Illinois.

In February 2025, Illinois.gov reported that 32,083 people between the ages of 42-64 were using the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program in Illinois.

However, on July 1, those benefits will be gone for immigrants of that age group. Other noncitizen healthcare benefits will remain in effect.

Free Healthcare Benefits For Illinois Immigrants

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The Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program, which currently serves eligible individuals aged 42 to 64, will end on July 1, 2025. HBIA provided healthcare coverage for eligible noncitizens who don't qualify for Medicaid due to immigration status.

However, some noncitizens will still get the free benefits. The Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) program, which serves qualifying individuals aged 65 and over, will not change.

The state said, "Due to State Fiscal Year 2026 budgetary constraints, the state had to make the difficult decision to use the limited funding available to continue coverage for eligible noncitizens aged 65+ only."

The HBIA program that is being cut costs the state $487 million. The HBIS program, which will continue, costs the state $195 million.

The State of Illinois is projected to spend $55.2 billion in 2025. An increase from $53.2 billion in 2024.

Can You Pass The U.S. Citizenship Test?

Many immigrants who want to become citizens of the U.S. have a lot of knowledge they need to know before being granted citizenship. As a naturally born citizen of the U.S., you probably think you know it all, but do you?

During the naturalization interview, a civics test is given. The civics test is an oral test and the USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the many civics questions below. An applicant must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test. Think you can get at least 60% correct? Let's find out.

Gallery Credit: Connor Kenney

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