Best Nursing Homes in Cook County, IL

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 4 nursing homes in Cook County, IL using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in IL
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Cook County, IL our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Cook County, IL.
4 homes
Other senior care options in Cook County:
Avg Overall CMS Rating: 4.5/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Cook County, 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: 4.0/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Cook County, 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: 4.3/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Cook County, 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 Cook County

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 Table AL (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. CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community): A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
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.
St Joseph Home For the Elderly
NH
AL
Palatine
49
Facility 49
IL AVG 120
Rank #142 / 165
66.5%
Facility 66.5%
IL AVG 76.9%
Rank #104 / 127
-14%
7.71
Facility 7.71
IL AVG 3.10
Rank #1 / 152
+63% +149%
$0
Facility $0
IL AVG $151.3k
Rank #1 / 153
5
Facility 5
IL AVG 36.8
Rank #2 / 153
5.0
Facility 5.0
IL AVG 3.7
Rank #130 / 153
- 33 -
69
Facility 69
IL AVG 54
Rank #57 / 190
Veronica Cantu - - - 146189
Little Sisters of the Poor St. Mary’s Home
NH
AL
Chicago (Lincoln Park)
76
Facility 76
IL AVG 120
Rank #111 / 165
59.1%
Facility 59.1%
IL AVG 76.9%
Rank #114 / 127
-23%
5.17
Facility 5.17
IL AVG 3.10
Rank #13 / 152
+37% +67%
$9.3k
Facility $9.3k
IL AVG $151.3k
Rank #66 / 153
22
Facility 22
IL AVG 36.8
Rank #40 / 153
4.4
Facility 4.4
IL AVG 3.7
Rank #136 / 153
2 45 -
93
Facility 93
IL AVG 54
Rank #9 / 190
Claire Mccanless - - - 146185
Citadel at Saint Benedict
NH
SNF
Niles
135
Facility 135
IL AVG 120
Rank #55 / 165
89.1%
Facility 89.1%
IL AVG 76.9%
Rank #25 / 127
+16%
2.62
Facility 2.62
IL AVG 3.10
Rank #88 / 152
+23% -16%
$0
Facility $0
IL AVG $151.3k
Rank #1 / 153
23
Facility 23
IL AVG 36.8
Rank #60 / 153
7.7
Facility 7.7
IL AVG 3.7
Rank #121 / 153
- 120 -
79
Facility 79
IL AVG 54
Rank #37 / 190
-
$14.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $14.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IL AVG $13.2M
Rank #47 / 134
$7.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $7.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IL AVG $7.4M
Rank #58 / 134
49.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 49.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IL AVG 60.5%
Rank #75 / 134
145741
Celebrate Senior Living Niles
NH
AL
CCRC
IL
MC
RC
SNF
Niles
59
Facility 59
IL AVG 120
Rank #132 / 165
- -
3.92
Facility 3.92
IL AVG 3.10
Rank #41 / 152
-1% +26%
$29.8k
Facility $29.8k
IL AVG $151.3k
Rank #92 / 153
6
Facility 6
IL AVG 36.8
Rank #10 / 153
2.0
Facility 2.0
IL AVG 3.7
Rank #5 / 153
2 49 A+
60
Facility 60
IL AVG 54
Rank #75 / 190
Elevate Saint Andrew LLC
$8.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $8.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IL AVG $13.2M
Rank #106 / 134
$5.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $5.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IL AVG $7.4M
Rank #91 / 134
63.3%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 63.3%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IL AVG 60.5%
Rank #31 / 134
146176

Rank badges are statewide: each nursing home is ranked against every IL nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 4 analyzed for Cook County. See how we rank facilities

Overview of St Joseph Home for the Elderly

St Joseph Home for the Elderly provides nursing home and assisted living care in Palatine, IL. Nursing home care supports residents who need ongoing nursing services, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing and medication while allowing a resident to keep a private or semi private room.

Having both care levels may suit someone whose needs grow over time and who would prefer to remain in the same community. The home has 49 beds, creating a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know one another.

Total nurse staffing is 7 hours and 43 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time available for each resident. Short term rehabilitation is also available through the Wellness Center, with physical, occupational and speech therapy for residents recovering or working to maintain daily abilities.

Transportation gives residents who do not drive a way to travel without arranging every trip independently. Private and semi private rooms accommodate someone seeking a single room or someone comfortable sharing living space. The area has a Walk Score of 69 and is somewhat walkable, so some errands can be completed on foot, although not all daily trips are walkable. St Joseph Senior Living is the owner, and religious services are available.

Contact St Joseph Home For the Elderly

Overview of Little Sisters of the Poor St. Mary’s Home

Tucked away in the peaceful area of Chicago, IL, St. Mary’s Home is a safe retreat for those who need assisted living. It features a team of highly qualified caregivers who care for residents who need extra support with their daily routines, such as personal hygiene and medication management. As a community established for over 140 years, St. Mary’s Home ensures everyone is treated with the best care practices that liberate them.

With a wide array of daily activities curated based on residents’ interests, there’s always something enriching to do. Residents’ meals are carefully prepared to satisfy their unique preferences and dietary needs. Here, everyone is given an equal chance to live their golden years without the responsibility of tiring chores.

Contact Little Sisters of the Poor St. Mary’s Home

Overview of Citadel at Saint Benedict

Citadel at Saint Benedict provides skilled nursing care in Niles, IL, for short term rehabilitation and long term needs. Round the clock nursing care supports residents who need ongoing clinical attention, while rehabilitation services address recovery through stroke, cardiac, orthopedic and pulmonary programs. Medically complex care is also available, along with CPAP, BiPAP and oxygen support. Palliative care provides comfort focused clinical support for residents who need it.

The community has 135 beds and offers private and semi private suites, including private suites for rehabilitation. A private suite gives one resident an individual room, while a semi private suite provides shared living space. Respite care supports short stays when a family caregiver needs temporary help. It can offer a planned break without changing the resident’s longer term care arrangement.

Total nurse staffing is 2h 37m per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time assigned to each resident. Medicare, Medicaid and private pay are accepted, giving families options for eligible short term skilled care, longer stays or direct payment. Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory support is available for residents who need specialized assistance. Gardens and open air courtyards provide outdoor areas within the community, while pet therapy offers guided animal interaction and full service dining provides meals as part of daily life. Citadel at Saint Benedict may be a good fit for someone who needs skilled nursing during rehabilitation or ongoing medically complex care, with respite available when a family caregiver needs temporary support.

Contact Citadel at Saint Benedict

Overview of Celebrate Senior Living Niles

Peacefully located in Niles, IL, Celebrate Senior Living Niles is a vibrant community designed to provide independent living and assisted living options. It supports residents needing support with their daily activities with the help of an excellent care team that is also trained in memory care practices. Those who want to enjoy an independent lifestyle find comfort and convenience in having access to maintenance and housekeeping services.

Residents here have no boring days with an array of daily activities, weekly recreation, and monthly social events held regularly. The community also has a spacious dining room where residents can enjoy three delicious meals daily. Residents’ living experience is further enhanced by amenities like a salon, library, and refreshing outdoor spaces for socialization and relaxation.

Contact Celebrate Senior Living Niles

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
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
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Cook County, 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 4 nursing homes in Cook County, IL. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home in Cook County, 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 Cook County, 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 Cook County, 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.