Page 4 of Best Assisted Living in Illinois

Overview of Franciscan Village of Lemont

Franciscan Village of Lemont is a 47-bed nursing home in the Chicago suburb of Lemont, Illinois, about 15 miles southwest of Naperville. It is owned by Gregory Belback, runs under the Franciscan Care Solutions umbrella, and operates at full capacity. They take Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, and since stays average about 72 days, most people are there for short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay or intermediate recovery.

The nurses and aides spend about 3 hours and 48 minutes a day working directly with each resident, with registered nurses covering 1 hour and 21 minutes of that time and nurse aides providing 2 hours and 17 minutes. Because a team is on the floor 24/7, they manage therapies, post-surgery recovery, and short-term respite care. Inside, the faith-based community offers chef-prepared meals in a central dining room. The local neighborhood scores a 4 out of 100 for walkability, so visitors will need a car to get around, though the low score keeps the campus quiet and free of heavy traffic.

State inspectors found the facility to be in full compliance during its most recent review. Earlier findings regarding elopement risk management prompted the facility to update its staff training and conduct service plan audits, which have since been put into practice.

Prospective representatives can call the admissions desk to find out how the waiting list works, ask about the daily therapy options, or schedule a walkthrough of the campus.

Overview of Smith Crossing (assisted Living)

Set across a 32-acre campus in Orland Park, Illinois, Smith Crossing runs a 62-bed nursing and rehab facility. Under the direction of owner Andrew Anello and Executive Director Amanda Mauceri, the building keeps about 85.6 percent of its beds filled and takes Medicare alongside private pay. Stays here average 56 days, meaning the daily routine is geared heavily toward short-term rehab patients rather than permanent residents.

Residents get around 5 hours and 11 minutes of direct, hands-on attention from the nursing team every single day. Registered nurses handle 1 hour and 27 minutes of that daily care, working alongside the rest of the 24/7 floor staff to coordinate speech pathology, physical therapy, and temporary respite stays. The campus layout is built around a full continuum of care, letting people switch between assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing without moving to a new property. Outside the gates, the neighborhood has a walkability score of 1 out of 100, so you will definitely have to drive when visiting or running errands.

State inspectors gave the facility a clean bill of health during their recent annual licensure survey, finding no deficiencies or rule violations. That clean record results in a citation rate of zero for the home, which has been established in the Orland Park area for 17 years.

Families can contact the main office to find out about current bed availability, ask how the physical therapy programs are structured, or set up an afternoon to walk through the grounds.

Overview of Westminster Village Al

Westminster Village is a 72-bed nonprofit senior living community in Bloomington, Illinois, offering a continuum of care that spans independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing through its on-site Health Center. The community is 0.2 miles from Bloomington’s city center and is operated by Matthew Riehle on behalf of a nonprofit organization. The facility carries a 4-star CMS overall rating, 27% above the Illinois average. Staffing is the standout figure: nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 51 minutes per resident per day, ranking 20th among 167 Illinois skilled nursing facilities and placing staffing 50.2% above the state average. RN staffing alone is 84% above the Illinois benchmark. The facility’s occupancy rate is 96%, well above the statewide average of 69.3%, signaling consistent demand. Inspection history reflects steady improvement. The most recent survey, completed December 2, 2025, found the facility in full compliance with no deficiencies. The prior annual inspection in January 2025 cited two service-plan documentation gaps — an unaddressed wound-care entry and a fall-risk update — and two complaint investigations in 2025 each yielded one deficiency related to service-plan completeness and incident-notification timing. No fines, Immediate Jeopardy findings, or license actions appear in the inspection record. Westminster Village’s living options include independent apartments, The Willows Duplexes, a dedicated memory care unit, and on-campus rehabilitation and wellness services. The continuum model allows residents to transition across care levels without leaving the community. Westminster Village is best suited for older adults and families planning ahead for multiple stages of care — particularly those who want memory care or skilled nursing available on the same campus as independent and assisted living

Hawthorne Inn of Rochelle is a small assisted living residence on Flagg Road in Rochelle, Illinois. The home, operated by owner Lisa Miller, serves 46 residents and has a moderately walkable location where some errands can be handled on foot and nearby amenities are accessible. Only operating for one year, the facility is a newer community focused on personalized care and a tight-knit residential feel. Its staffing model reflects a commitment to hands-on support, with total nursing care averaging 3 hours and 41 minutes per resident day, a major care presence for a facility of this size. That nursing coverage includes registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses working 24/7, with the home maintaining a 24-hour on-site staff presence. Accepted are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, so families have numerous pathways to coverage.

Everyday programming spotlights movement and engagement, with strength training, aerobic exercises, personalized activities, and social and recreational programming built into weekly rhythms. The home also handles practical services like landscaping, snow removal, and ongoing maintenance. This lessens the burden on residents and families for external vendors. Residents benefit from straightforward amenities: large walk-in closets for storage, housekeeping and linen service, complimentary wireless internet and television, and an on-site beauty and barber shop. Three buffet-style meals are served daily, and the supportive environment is integrated by having staff present all the time. The current 96 percent occupancy rate, averaging a stay of around 76 days, reflects a blend of shorter rehabilitative stays and those selecting longer-term residence.

During inspection, focus areas have included staffing sufficiency for night operations, food service sanitation practices, and evacuation safety documentation. The home works to tackle these operational and compliance areas as part of its continuous improvement.

For families contemplating Hawthorne Inn of Rochelle, an on-site visit gives a chance to see the small-community setting and talk about how the facility’s personalized approach might fit their loved one’s needs.

Overview of Brookdale Hawthorn Lakes

Brookdale Hawthorn Lakes is an exceptional senior living community settling in east Hawthorn Parkway, Vernon Hills, IL, that offers independent living and assisted living. With a wide selection of elegant and pet-friendly floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, residents experience comfort and safety like no other. Brookdale Hawthorn Lakes promises a relaxing and graceful retirement with round-the-clock care and assistance from a compassionate, respectful, and highly skilled team. Live confidently and explore scenic views with the community’s beautifully landscaped grounds.

Promoting a cozy and inviting environment, the community hosts activities that encourage seniors to remain active and interact with their surroundings. Enjoy hassle-free dining with friends as the culinary team serves delightful and healthy meals from breakfast to dinner. Brookdale Hawthorn Lakes is a great place to live retirement like a lifetime vacation with its wonderful amenities including a library, a greenhouse, a bank, a general store, a fishing pond, a fitness center, a beauty and barbershop, a therapy room, an arts and crafts studio, and a clinic.

Overview of Sunrise of Schaumburg

Explore phenomenal senior living at Sunrise of Schaumburg, located in the serene neighborhood of Schaumburg, ML, where services such as independent living, assisted living, and memory care are available. Committed to delivering a fun and hassle-free lifestyle, the community features a devoted team that works round-the-clock to point residents toward a meaningful and joyful life. In terms of memory care, those with Alzheimer’s and dementia are designed to receive personalized and quality care.

Meet new companions and enjoy activities that produce feelings of laughter and cheer through different life-encompassing opportunities and programs, including activity rooms and social areas, a pet-friendly community, and snacks throughout the day. Sunrise of Schaumburg is ideal for residents who aim to have fun-filled memories. The community was also recognized as Best Assisted Living by US News and World Report for 2024 for its exceptional quality.

Overview of Alden Des Plaines Rehabilitation & Health Care Center

Alden Des Plaines Rehabilitation & Healthcare is a nursing home in Des Plaines, IL, specializing in rehabilitation. Featuring upscale amenities in a clean and supportive setting, the community ensures older adults can feel at ease throughout their stay. Restaurant-style dining, a comprehensive therapy program, and recreational opportunities also ensure residents can focus on their recovery and rehabilitation. Through a holistic approach to care, the community ensures residents receive the utmost attention to live comfortably in retirement.

Beauty services, social events, and exercises encourage residents to live actively and have fun. A state-of-the-art therapy room, a lively dining room, and spacious common areas are among the top-notch amenities dedicated to residents’ relaxation and wellness. Residents also have quick access to medical care and other necessities, with the Holy Family Medical Center and various local amenities in the area. As one of the trusted options for senior living in Illinois, this nursing home continuously provides excellent services for older adults’ welfare.

Overview of Brookdale Orland Park

Brookdale Orland Park is a vibrant senior living community in the charming city of Orland Park, Illinois. The community offers assisted living and memory care in an environment where they receive the quality care they need without sacrificing the independence and freedom they deserve. Residents are guaranteed a comfortable residence with a range of floor plans, from studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. The community also offers 24-hour assistance by a dedicated team and an emergency alert system to guarantee residents’ safety and comfort, knowing they can get the support they need anytime.

With Brookdale’s Clare Bridge memory care residence, residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia experience a gentle structure of six planned programs per day that help support their current abilities and help preserve their remaining skills. Residents enjoy delicious, chef-prepared meals in an elegant dining room and participate in various activities inspired by their interests and passions. Amenities include a vibrant cafe, a well-curated library, a snack shop, spacious community rooms, and beautifully landscaped grounds where they can bask in the sun and appreciate nature.

Overview of Sunrise of Park Ridge

Located in the charming neighborhood of Park Ridge, IL, Sunrise of Park Ridge is a well-established senior living community that offers assisted living, memory care, short-term stay, and hospice coordination. The community offers an array of studio, two-bedroom apartments, and companion suites to provide residents the living environment that best suits their needs and tastes. A team of experienced and compassionate care professionals are always ready to help residents with their daily living activities, making sure they are always comfortable and well cared for.

Maintenance and housekeeping are also handled to ensure residents have plenty of time to enjoy the things they love. A full range of activities and events are provided to residents, giving them plenty of options to keep them occupied and entertained. Residents’ dietary needs and cravings are always satisfied with fresh, delicious meals served daily for their enjoyment and nourishment.

Overview of Morning Star Village

A three-story, 75-bed assisted living community at 1160 N Mulford Rd in Rockford’s Winnebago County, Morning Star Village has been running for 21 years now under Morning Star Village, Inc., with Dennis Leahy as President and Co-Founder. Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts are all available, and the neighborhood lands at a Walk Score of 10, solidly car-dependent, so most days start with getting in a car.

The amenity list here leans toward the specific: there’s a chapel, a gift shop, an activity and craft room, and a lounge area built around a fireplace, the kind of spaces that give a building texture beyond hallways and a dining room; pets are welcome too. On the services side, transportation is arranged for residents, and the calendar includes social and recreational events on a regular basis.

Illinois’s Department of Public Health, Office of Health Care Regulation, handles inspections statewide, and at Morning Star Village those have tended to focus on dietary and food service practices and general housekeeping rather than anything tied to direct hands-on care.

Altogether, Morning Star Village is a longer-running, mid-sized Rockford community built around assisted living specifically, with a fuller-than-usual amenity list and a pet-friendly policy for residents who don’t want to leave that part of home behind.