Fact checked by Jim Lacy
When news came out that the federal government would terminate Marketplace tax credits for 2026, millions of people panicked — including me, a freelance writer. I was already paying about $500 per month for health insurance; my premium would have skyrocketed to $1,600 monthly.
Then, in November 2025, Illinois transitioned to a state-based marketplace. The program, Get Covered Illinois, includes a $6.5 million grant to hire navigators embedded in communities across the state to help people enroll in health insurance. Get Covered Illinois also launched a new website and a live Customer Assistance Center to make enrollment more accessible.
“Illinois created its own marketplace to give the state greater flexibility and local control, and to reduce reliance on federal policy decisions,” says Caron Brookens, director of communications at the Illinois Department of Insurance.
With a state-based marketplace, Brookens says Illinois can better invest budgetary resources. It allows for better integration with state programs and more tailored support for residents.
To create the Illinois marketplace, the Department of Insurance consulted with health policy experts and actuaries. Health insurance companies opted in by submitting certification plans. The department reviewed all premium and tax credit rates to ensure they were reasonable. In some cases, Illinois pushed back, Brookens says, leading to more adequate coverage and better costs for residents.
I see that result in my own insurance. Ultimately, the switch to Get Covered Illinois saves my husband and me about $200 a month for a better plan.
