Illinois Rebates
Illinois Native Landscaping Rebates
Illinois native landscaping programs are concentrated in the Chicago metro. Chicago proper currently has no native plant rebate; the Sustainable Backyards program ended. The five collar counties each have stormwater programs. DuPage County's Rain Ready program is the most developed for homeowners. Cook County suburbs often run their own programs under the MWRD framework.
Last updated: July 2026 · 11 programs tracked
The quick version
- Chicago Sustainable Backyards has ended: the application closed in 2012 and the city program page has been removed (chicago.gov, checked June 2026). No replacement announced.
- DuPage County Rain Ready: rebates for rain gardens and impervious surface removal. Check rainreadydupage.org.
- Lake County Stormwater and Kane/McHenry SWCDs offer periodic native plant cost-share; programs vary by year.
Is the Illinois turf rebate still active in 2026?
Yes. 10 of 11 tracked Illinois turf-replacement rebate programs are currently active, with payouts up to Varies. Details below were last verified July 2026. Confirm the current amount and deadline with each provider before you apply, since program funding can change mid-year.
| Program | Max rebate | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain Garden IncentiveCity of Champaign | $250 per rain garden (min 100 sq ft; $1,000 lifetime cap per property) | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Individual Residential Stormwater CreditCity of Decatur, Illinois | Ongoing bill credit: 10-20% off the stormwater fee (10% per practice) | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Cost-Share Drainage Assistance ProgramDuPage County Stormwater Management | 50% of eligible costs, up to $5,000 per project | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Private Property Drainage Assistance ProgramCity of Elgin | 75% match, up to $3,750 (contractor) or $2,250 (DIY materials-only) | Active | Jul 2026 |
| Illinois Collar County Conservation & Stormwater ProgramsDuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, and Will County Conservation Districts | 50% up to $5,000 (DuPage cost-share) | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Private Property Cost Share Drainage ProgramVillage of Northbrook | Up to 70% or $5,000 of the rain garden cost, whichever is less | Active | Jul 2026 |
| Climate Ready RainscapesVillage of Oak Park (administered by Greenprint Partners) | 50% of eligible landscaping cost, up to $2,000 | Paused | Jul 2026 |
| Rain Garden Incentive ProgramVillage of Park Forest | 50% of plant and compost costs, up to $500 | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Stormwater Volume Reduction CreditCity of Peoria, Illinois | Ongoing bill credit: 15% (1.0in) or 30% (1.6in stored) off the stormwater fee | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Ecological Cost-Share ProgramsVillage of Riverwoods | 50% of cost, up to $2,000 (up to $4,000 for some programs) | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Stormwater Incentive ProgramVillage of Wilmette | 50% of construction cost, up to $3,500 (rain gardens / bioretention) | Active | Jun 2026 |
See the vision
From turf to a native front yard.
An illustrative Patch Vision rendering of a turf-to-native front yard. In the app, every plan is generated from a photo of your own yard, for your sun, soil, and HOA strictness.
How to apply for Illinois rebates
- 1.Apply for pre-approval before you start. Starting work first is the most common reason applications get denied.
- 2.Take before photos of the area you plan to convert, then matching after photos from the same angles once the work is done.
- 3.Apply early in the fiscal year. Many programs are first-come, first-served. Each program below links to the provider for current rules. See our step-by-step lawn replacement guide.
Chicago Suburbs
1 program available
Illinois Collar County Conservation & Stormwater Programs
DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, and Will County Conservation Districts
The five collar counties around Chicago each have a Soil and Water Conservation District and/or a stormwater management agency that periodically offers homeowner programs. DuPage County Stormwater runs a Rain Ready DuPage program. Lake County Stormwater Management provides homeowner stormwater resources and has offered cost-share for native plantings and impervious cover removal. Kane and McHenry SWCDs offer periodic native plant cost-share and rain barrel programs.
DuPage County Stormwater Management: dupagecounty.gov/government/departments/stormwater_management (Rain Ready DuPage program - rebates for impervious surface removal and rain gardens). Lake County Stormwater: lakecountyil.gov/1083/Stormwater-Management-Commission. Kane County SWCD: kcscd.org. McHenry County Conservation: mccdistrict.org. Will County SWCD: willcountysoilandwater.com.
Rebate Concierge
Free step-by-step help with every rebate above
Every program above comes with a free guided checklist in the Pollinator Patch app: the steps in order, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos and receipts together. A few high-value programs also offer an optional ready-to-file application packet for a one-time $29.99.
Explore more
Rebates in other states
Common questions
Does Illinois have a native landscaping rebate?
Is the Chicago Sustainable Backyards rebate still available?
What is the DuPage County Rain Ready program?
What native plants work in Illinois?
Does Illinois law protect homeowners who remove turf in HOA communities?
Get started
Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.
Pollinator Patch helps you pick the right native plants for your region, plan an HOA-friendly layout, and generate the documentation that rebate programs ask for.