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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 37 nursing homes in Chicago, IL using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in IL
Avg Overall CMS Rating:2.9/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Chicago, IL. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:2.5/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Chicago, IL. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.8/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Chicago, IL. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.0/ 5
Compare Nursing Homes around Chicago
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the IL Dept. of Public Health (IDPH), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This TableAL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
IL (Independent Living):
Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
HC (Home Care):
Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
PC (Palliative Care):
Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
CCRC( (Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)):
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Illinois average is: 60.5% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Rank badges are statewide: each nursing home is ranked against every IL nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 37 analyzed for Chicago. See how we rank facilities
Located in Chicago, IL, Astoria Place provides rehabilitation services, short-term rehab, and respite care. Respite care allows for a short stay when a family’s usual caregiver needs to travel or recover, while 24-hour staffing ensures residents have access to care around the clock.
Rehabilitation services and short-term rehabilitation give residents access to a range of care. Specific programs are also available, including a Russian and Cantonese Program, Enrichment Activities, and Concierge services.
Astoria Place has 164 beds, creating a setting with more residents, staff, and usually more programming than a smaller home. Its 94% occupancy means most beds are filled, while total nurse staffing of 2 hours and 20 minutes per resident per day represents the daily hands-on nursing time allocated to each resident.
In the West Ridge neighborhood, a Walk Score of 92 places the area in the walker’s paradise band, where daily errands do not require a car, so a resident who no longer drives can get out independently to complete daily errands. Moreover, payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
Warren Barr North Shore provides nursing home, skilled nursing, and memory care in Highland Park, Illinois. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Memory care offers supervision in a secured setting for someone at risk of wandering. The community may be a good fit for someone who needs supervised memory care or skilled nursing support.
The community has 215 beds and 24 hour staffing, so staff are present throughout the day and night. Total nurse staffing is 2 hours and 25 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated to each resident. Short term rehabilitation supports a temporary recovery stay, while respite care provides a short stay when a family caregiver needs time away.
Specific programs include on site dialysis, cardiac rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, pulmonary care, and respiratory care. On site dialysis allows a resident receiving dialysis to receive that treatment at the community. The rehabilitation and respiratory programs address recovery and ongoing care needs related to the heart, bones and joints, lungs, and breathing. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families those payment routes for eligible care and services. The area has a Walk Score of 44 and is car dependent, so most errands require a car or a ride.
Lakefront Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a haven where every aspect of care, from skilled nursing to rehabilitation and mental health support, is elevated. Renowned for its unwavering dedication, this cherished institution has become a trusted name in the field. The team of experts who grace its halls possesses advanced degrees, encompassing a wide range of social services and cutting-edge rehabilitation therapies. With an exceptional grasp of essential skills like G-tube feeding, their care knows no bounds. An on-site psychiatric day program, led by a resident psychiatrist, provides a nurturing space for holistic healing. Vocational rehabilitation opportunities abound, empowering residents to reclaim their independence. The administration of IV fluids is executed with meticulous precision, ensuring the utmost comfort and well-being.
The home also fosters a sense of belonging and community. Residents are encouraged to gather outdoors, basking in the joy of shared barbecues and savoring the simple delight of ice cream. Enriching outings bring people together, forging connections that transcend the boundaries of the facility. Every major milestone, including birthdays, is commemorated with heartfelt joy as well. For those seeking spiritual solace, religious services are readily available. Choosing this exceptional home is more than a decision—it’s an affirmation of hope, knowing that loved ones are embraced by a team that surpasses all expectations.
Enjoy a vibrant life without the demands and costs of home ownership with Smith Village, a classic senior living community in Cook County, Chicago, IL, that offers care continuum with their independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services. Make yourself at home in well-designed apartments with an array of one- or two-bedroom apartments to choose from–all featuring a kitchenette, full bathroom with walk-in shower, lots of closet space, and plenty of natural light. Residents never have to lift a finger with maintenance and housekeeping handled by the attentive team.
A licensed nursing team is available on-site any time of the day to ensure residents’ needs are met immediately. The community provides compassionate care services, including assistance with activities of daily living, medication administration, physical, speech, occupational and respiratory therapies, making sure residents have access to necessary care and support even as their needs evolve. A full calendar of recreational, social, cultural and educational programs foster social connection and lifelong learning opportunities, which help residents maintain their abilities while living a fulfilling life.
For over thirty years, Montgomery Place is a retirement community and has been one of the best independent living communities in Chicago. Their vision has always been to prioritize each senior’s comfort and safety while they live an enriching life for the residents of independent living and assisted living services. The well-trained staff are encouraged to compassionately care for the residents so there would be an in-depth connection– to build memories, friendships, and experiences. Montgomery Place Retirement Community strives to provide connection within the community while encouraging an enriching quality of life.
Montgomery Place promotes a lifestyle that is stress free. Their list of amenities and services are built into the community so as to practice a vibrant social life; they have designed the features in the community that has reimagined retirement living. Their essential amenities and services included: 24-hour security, wellness programs, transportation, room service, and housekeeping with laundry– as they try to ensure that residents are able to live with easy accessibility. The facility has a lot more to offer that awaits endless possibilities.
Norwood Crossing is a non-profit nursing home in Chicago, IL, that offers a wide range of care options, including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and respite care. Promoting a home-like atmosphere, the community ensures older adults are treated like family. Nutritious meals, recreational activities, and household services are also offered, ensuring older adults experience maintenance-free living. Through individualized care options, the community strives to help residents thrive in their later years.
Fun games, light exercises, and social events are just some of the activities that residents can participate in for leisure and wellness. Cozy living spaces, accessible hallways, and lively gathering areas make the community an ideal retirement option. With its ideal location along North Avondale Avenue, near public transportation and restaurants, residents gain easy access to their necessities and leisure. As one of the best options for retirement in Illinois, this nursing home has comprehensive care options and extensive amenities dedicated to older adults’ welfare.
The Grove La Grange Park provides memory care, nursing home services, palliative care, and skilled nursing in La Grange Park, IL. Accommodating older adults with serious illness, the community provides comfort-focused care through palliative care. A secure setting is also provided for those living with dementia.
The community has 131 beds, with a current occupancy of 87%. Meanwhile, total nurse staffing is 2 hours and 26 minutes per resident per day, representing the nursing time available for each resident over a day. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are also accepted. This indicates that Medicare can cover short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid can help when savings may not cover a long stay, and private pay allows care to be paid from personal funds.
A Walk Score of 67 is somewhat walkable, meaning some errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to complete certain errands independently.
Peterson Park Health Care Center is a senior living home that prides itself on offering premier services and novel methods of clinical care. The healthcare professionals at the center are highly experienced and skilled in providing personalized care to each individual resident. The center offers 24-hour security and skilled nursing care, as well as social services and personal assistance with daily needs. They are also equipped to provide tube feedings, wound care, and physical therapy, with nurses who are trained to manage and treat pressure ulcers and wounds. Their critical therapy program includes in-house ultrasound studies of vascular wounds and wound VAC services.
The home boasts stylish dining settings and values family, celebrations, intimate gatherings, and holidays or festivities that make the residents feel at home. The center features spacious rooms and tranquil common areas, making it an ideal place for seniors to recover while being well taken care of. Families can trust that their loved ones are in a home that genuinely cares for them and provides the best possible service for their recovery.
In the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago’s North Side, Clark Manor has been operating for 38 years at 7433 N Clark St. It is a 99-bed nursing home and memory care facility running at 84.2% occupancy, with 96 residents on census and an average length of stay of 173 days. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted.
The Walk Score is 92, so it’s effectively a walker’s paradise, where residents’ families can handle most errands without a car. Ascension Saint Joseph – Chicago is 6 miles out for acute care needs.
Memory care, behavioral health, and psychiatric services make up the core of what sets this facility apart from a general skilled nursing placement. Wound care is available on-site, and dietary technicians handle individualized nutritional planning.
The facility carries VA certification, meaning veteran residents can receive care that accounts for their service history and related needs. Post-hospital rehabilitation is also offered.
Therapy staff includes speech language pathologists, physical therapy aides and assistants, respiratory therapy technicians, and occupational therapy aides and assistants. Nursing coverage is reported at 24 minutes of RN time per resident per day, 37 minutes of LPN/LVN time, and 1 hour 58 minutes of nurse aide time, for a total of 3 hours 6 minutes of daily nursing care per resident.
A Resident Council meets regularly on-site.
Clark Manor is a long-established North Side Chicago nursing home with a clinical profile built around memory care, behavioral health, and psychiatric services; a combination that distinguishes it from general skilled nursing facilities and makes it a more specific fit for residents whose care needs extend into those domains. The VA certification adds a meaningful option for veteran families in the area.
Overview of Ambassador Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Nestled in a prime location with easy access to all the urban amenities, Ambassador Nursing and Rehabilitation Center boasts an array of services focused on providing comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of their well-being. From IV services to nutritional support, respiratory care to in-house diagnostics, and pain management to wound care, Ambassador ensures that patients receive the highest standard from a dedicated team of professionals. Ambassador is also committed to inclusivity, with a bilingual staff fluent in English and Spanish, ensuring effective communication and personalized care for native Spanish speakers. With 190 nursing beds, Ambassador can provide care to a diverse range of patients, offering a safe and supportive environment for their recovery and rehabilitation. The home also recognizes the importance of addressing the spiritual needs of patients, offering Christian and Catholic services to provide comfort and support during their stay. The friendly and compassionate staff at Ambassador create a warm and welcoming environment where patients feel at ease, and the multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to develop personalized care plans that meet the needs of each resident.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Chicago, IL
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Illinois?
Assisted living in Illinois is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does Illinois Medicaid cover nursing home care?
Yes — Illinois Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 37 nursing homes in Chicago, IL. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home in Chicago, IL?
Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Chicago, IL, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.
What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Chicago, IL?
Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
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