Illinois Launches State-Based Health Insurance Marketplace Amid Federal Budget Stalemate

Open Enrollment Details:

Open enrollment for the 2026 ACA plan year begins Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15.
Illinois residents will use the state-based platform, Get Covered Illinois, for the first time to shop for plans, rather than the federal HealthCare.gov portal.
More than 1,100 plans will be offered, with navigators available to help residents find affordable options.

Reason for Premium Hikes:

Premiums are rising due to the end of enhanced ACA tax credits that subsidized insurance costs for households under 400% of the federal poverty level.
These credits, first passed in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act and renewed in 2022 under the Inflation Reduction Act, are now ending amid the ongoing federal budget stalemate, which has also caused a partial government shutdown since Oct. 1.
Illinois Insurance Director Ann Gillespie warns that some households could see premiums double, triple, or even quadruple, potentially forcing many to drop coverage.

State-Based Exchange Advantages:

Provides independence from federal policy changes and more flexibility in plan offerings and special enrollment periods.
Starting in 2026, two additional enrollment opportunities will be offered:
1. Pregnancy open enrollment for those who become pregnant outside the standard enrollment period.
2. Enrollment linked to individual tax filing, allowing residents to request marketplace materials during tax season.

Background:

Gillespie, a former state senator and lead sponsor of the 2023 legislation establishing the state-based exchange, emphasizes that the platform gives Illinois more control to ensure coverage for residents despite federal changes.
In January 2025, 466,000 Illinois residents were enrolled in ACA marketplace plans, with around 90% receiving tax credits to subsidize costs.

Key Message:
Residents are urged not to drop coverage and to consult navigators to explore affordable plan options on the new Illinois marketplace.

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