HHS Region 5 · Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
Program Overview
Illinois applied for $200 million annually over five years from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, driven by extensive stakeholder engagement including over 38 meetings and nearly 300 public listening session attendees. The program focuses on hospital transformation, overcoming geographic barriers, and building a resilient rural workforce through grants and direct investments.
Updated
County-level estimates averaged across Illinois — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (102)
| County | Pop | Poverty | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County | 5,182,090 | 13.5% | 9.9% |
| DuPage County | 930,024 | 6.6% | 4.7% |
| Lake County | 714,223 | 8.3% | 5.8% |
| Will County | 701,462 | 7.3% | 5.5% |
| Kane County | 517,255 | 7.9% | 5.6% |
| McHenry County | 312,591 | 6.2% | 4.3% |
| Winnebago County | 283,292 | 15.6% | 11.1% |
| Madison County | 264,238 | 11.1% | 7.6% |
| St. Clair County | 253,694 | 13.6% | 9.5% |
| Champaign County | 208,741 | 19.1% | 7.2% |
| Sangamon County | 194,947 | 13.1% | 8.5% |
| Peoria County | 179,645 | 15.7% | 10.1% |
AI source: IL - 2024 - RHTP Hospital Planning Grant Methodology (pdf)
AI auto-updated May 21, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Grouped files
1 related document
IL - 2026 - CMS RHTP 50-State Spotlight (FY2026) — Illinois
1,635,249 rural residents
Illinois has publicly launched hospital-level planning grant opportunities for its Rural Health Transformation Program, with $28.2 million allocated for Year 1 and application eligibility criteria detailed for 97 hospitals. This marks the move to subgrantee procurement, as hospitals can now apply for approximately $290,000 each to support program planning. The federal award was previously received and formal subgrant activities have begun. State opportunities: 1 active (1 open), $80.0M listed funding. Key opportunities: Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant Program. Strategy alignment: supports care access priorities.
Invest in infrastructure, innovative care delivery models, workforce development, and technology to enhance healthcare access and quality in rural Illinois.
Key Initiatives
Timeline: Funding awarded December 29, 2025, with federal awards announced by December 31, 2025; implementation ongoing starting 2026
Obstetric Services Access: 34% of Illinois counties lack obstetric services, highlighting critical gaps in rural healthcare availability. (Regions: Rural Illinois counties)
Illinois will allocate $28.2M in planning grants to up to 97 eligible rural or rural-serving hospitals, supporting financial and strategic transformation. All CAHs and hospitals meeting rurality or discharge percentage thresholds may participate. This represents a major investment focused on hospitals serving rural resident populations.
Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Executive Director participated in a national discussion on Rural Health Transformation.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services & Illinois Capital Development Board
Grouped files
2 related documents
IL - 2024 - Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant Program (pdf)
IL - 2025 - Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant FAQ (pdf)
Illinois will allocate $28.2M in planning grants to up to 97 eligible rural or rural-serving hospitals, supporting financial and strategic transformation. All CAHs and hospitals meeting rurality or discharge percentage thresholds may participate. This represents a major investment focused on hospitals serving rural resident populations.
Core Initiatives
Illinois is issuing a NOFO for a capital investment grant program aimed at hospitals and other qualified healthcare providers to support capital improvements under the Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant Program. Event schedule: - DATE: , 2024 - May 1 - The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is issuing a Notice of Funding
This document provides a comprehensive summary of Illinois’ application and planning for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). It details the federal RHTP's funding formula, strategic goals, application timeline, and stakeholder-informed health priorities. No awards or sub-grantee allocations are final or stated; all funding information is for reference in anticipation of the state’s application.
Illinois applied for $200 million annually over five years from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, driven by extensive stakeholder engagement including over 38 meetings and nearly 300 public listening session attendees. The program focuses on hospital transformation, overcoming geographic barriers, and building a resilient rural workforce through grants and direct investments. Event schedule: - RHTP Application Submission - 11/05/2025 - Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services - CMS Award Announcement - 12/31/2025
The document summarizes RHTP-related state applications for FY26, listing award amounts and spotlights for each state's rural health transformation proposal. Initiatives emphasize technology adoption, workforce development, quality improvement, and addressing maternal and chronic disease priorities. All awards are summarized at the statewide level, with no individual sub-recipient awards listed.
Core Initiatives
Illinois is applying for RHTP funding to address poor rural health outcomes and support at-risk hospitals through system transformation. The plan prioritizes three initiative categories: hospital transformation and partnership models, mobile and technology-enabled rural healthcare, and expansion of the rural health workforce. Proposed funding will scale successful regional models, invest in telehealth and mobile health, and seed workforce and value-based payment reforms statewide.
Core Initiatives
Reference: Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Executive Director Joins National Discussion ON Rural Health Transformation Link: https://www.timestribunenews.com/2026/05/15/illinois-critical-access-hospital-network-executive-director-joins-national-discussion-on-rural-health-transformation/
Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Executive Director participated in a national discussion on Rural Health Transformation.
HR1UpdateaddressMobileVideo
video/mp4 · 4/19/2026
IL RHTP site updated — 1 new doc(s)
IL - 2026 - RHTP News Digest
May 17, 2026 09:00
·Email2026 - Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Executive Director Joins National Discussion ON RHT
IL - 2025 - Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant FAQ (pdf)
IL - 2024 - Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant Program (pdf)
Documents predating or adjacent to the RHTP program — useful background, excluded from main activity feed.
2026 - Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Executive Director Joins National Discussion ON RHT
IL - 2025 - MPCEO Contract 2025 (pdf)
2025 · PDF
Illinois was awarded $193,418,216 annually for five years under the federal Rural Healthcare Transformation Program to improve healthcare accessibility in its rural regions. This significant investment targets reducing barriers and advancing equity for rural residents. Event schedule: - Press Release - Tuesday, , 2025 - December 30 - Illinois has been awarded $193,418,216 million per year for five years through the $50 billion federal Rural Healthcare Transformation Program (RHTP) fund, which will be utilized to expand equitable access to healthcare and to eliminate barriers to care that many residents of rural communities face. - Press Release - Monday, , 2025 - December 22 - $4 million investment will cover the gap created by the Trump Administration’s move to defund Planned Parenthood - Press Release - Sunday, , 2025 - November 23 - Illinois announces participation in federal Cell & Gene Therapy Access Model for Sickle Cell Disease treatment - The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is launching new coverage for home visiting services for pregnant and parenting Medicaid customers, effective . The newly-covered services and supports aim to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting individuals at a critical time in their healthcare journey, in order to create better health outcomes for both parents and their children. - Nov. 21 - Illinois announces participation in federal Cell & Gene Therapy Access Model for Sickle Cell Disease treatment - Press Release - Tuesday, , 2025 - September 30 - Following Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, the initial focus of the model will increase access to gene therapy treatments for people living with Sickle Cell Disease - Press Release - Sunday, , 2025 - August 03 - The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is recognizing August as Child Support Awareness Month, marking historic progress on key performance metrics as the state celebrates the milestone 50th year of the program. Illinois’ Child Support Services program is entering its next decade with a goal of addressing the needs of the families it serves more holistically, including providing additional assistance to the parents who pay support.
Core Initiatives
Core Initiatives
Core Initiatives
This Q&A guidance outlines eligibility requirements, allowable costs, and application details for the Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant program administered by Illinois HFS. The program supports capital improvements for Medicaid providers and focuses on healthcare transformation to serve underserved areas. Awards range up to an estimated $80 million per project, with a total of $200 million available.
Core Initiatives
2021-03-01 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
2021-05-07 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
2021-08-20 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
2021-09-01 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
2021-11-02 Appendix K: Approved Amendment Signed Approval Letter IL 0142 (pdf)
2021 · PDF
2021-12-29 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2021 · PDF
2020-03-27 Illinois Home and Community-Based Waiver Appendix K Submission (pdf)
2020-2021 · PDF
2020-05-12 Appendix K Approved Amendment
2020-2021 · PDF
2020-08-31 Appendix K: Approved Amendment
2020-2021 · PDF
2020-08-31 Appendix K: Approved Amendment Signed Approval Letter
2020-2021 · PDF
2020-12-04 COVID-19 Fee Schedule- UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-01-06 COVID-19 Fee Schedule- UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-01-28 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-02-08 COVID-19 Fee Schedule- UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-03-03 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-03-26 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-05-19 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-06-10 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-07-09 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-10-04 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2021-11-18 COVID-19 Fee Schedule - UPDATED
2020-2021 · PDF
2020-03-19 Illinois Section 1135 Waiver Request (pdf)
2020 · PDF
2020-03-27 Illinois Section 1115 Waiver Request (pdf)
2020 · PDF
2020-03-27 Partial Approval Illinois Section 1135 Waiver (pdf)
2020 · PDF
Illinois Medicaid Virtual Healthcare Expansion/Telehealth Emergency Rules UPDATED
2020 · PDF
2020-05-21 COVID-19 Virtual Healthcare Expansion Billing Codes - UPDATED
2020 · PDF
2020-07-23 COVID-19 Fee Schedule--UPDATED
2020 · PDF
Illinois Updated September 14, 2020 Illinois Medicaid RHTP Meeting Minutes
2020 · PDF
Managed Care Manual for Medicaid Providers
2016 · PDF
Research Illinois Health Plans
2016 · PDF
IL - 2026 - MPCEO RFA FAQ (pdf)
2020-03-20 Telehealth Emergency Amendments Filed to 89 Ill Admin Code Section 140.403 (pdf)
2020-03-19 1135 Waiver Request Fact Sheet (pdf)
2020-03-27 1115 Waiver Request Fact Sheet (pdf)
2020-03-27 Illinois Medicaid & CHIP Eligibility Changes and Requests to Address COVID-19 Fact Sheet (pdf)
2020-04-08 Client Notice - How to Apply for Medicaid: Important COVID-19 Information
2020-08-04 Approved CHIP Disaster Relief SPA - 20-0006
2020-05-12 Appendix K Approval Letter