Locum CRNA Jobs in Illinois

What Life Is Like in the State of Illinois

Illinois offers a wide range of clinical environments for locum CRNAs, from world-class academic hospitals in Chicago to smaller community and rural facilities across the state. Locum tenens opportunities tend to be concentrated around major healthcare networks and underserved regions that experience ongoing staffing shortages. Illinois blends urban sophistication with Midwest affordability outside of Chicago, making it an appealing state for CRNAs looking for consistent work, strong income potential, and a diverse mix of clinical experiences.

1. CRNA Work Environment

• Diverse Practice Settings:
  • Chicago is home to major academic centers including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and Loyola University Medical Center. These institutions handle high-acuity cases, trauma, and advanced surgical specialties.
  • Large health networks such as Advocate Health Care, NorthShore University HealthSystem, OSF HealthCare, and Carle Health operate hospitals and surgical centers across the state and frequently rely on locum CRNAs to manage OR volume or cover staffing gaps.
  • Central and southern Illinois facilities, including those in Peoria, Springfield, Decatur, Rockford, and Carbondale, often need locum providers to ensure continuous anesthesia coverage and maintain OR efficiency.
  • Rural critical access hospitals spread across western and southern Illinois offer opportunities for CRNAs to practice with more autonomy and broader responsibilities.
• Supervision Model and Scope:
  • Illinois is a physician supervision state. CRNAs practice under physician oversight, typically within ACT (Anesthesia Care Team) models in larger hospitals.
  • Despite supervision laws, many facilities heavily rely on CRNAs for primary anesthesia delivery, especially in rural hospitals where anesthesiologists may not be onsite full-time.
  • The Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists (IANA) advocates for the profession and keeps providers informed about legislative and practice updates.
• Locum Demand and Case Mix:
  • Demand for locum CRNAs is strong across Illinois due to staffing shortages, high surgical volume, and a mix of urban and rural hospital needs.
  • Common case types include general surgery, orthopedics, OB, GI, urology, ENT, cardiac (select facilities), and trauma in major centers.
  • Chicago-area hospitals may offer opportunities to work in specialized ORs such as transplant, cardiac, neurosurgery, or complex oncology cases.

2. Illinois Licensing and Travel Notes

• Illinois is not part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), so CRNAs must obtain an Illinois RN license and advanced practice recognition through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
• Licensure processing can take several weeks, often between 6 and 10 weeks depending on paperwork, background checks, and verification delays.
• Most agencies supply malpractice coverage for locum providers; hospitals typically do not provide it directly to contractors.
• Major airports include Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Midway (MDW), and regional hubs like Springfield (SPI), Peoria (PIA), and Rockford (RFD).

3. Cost of Living

• Housing and Lodging:
  • Chicago’s downtown and near-north neighborhoods have some of the highest rental prices in the Midwest, but many locum CRNAs stay slightly outside the center to keep costs manageable.
  • Suburbs such as Naperville, Schaumburg, and Oak Park offer more affordable temporary housing with easy access to major hospital systems.
  • Central and southern Illinois provide significantly lower housing costs, making assignments in those areas more financially advantageous.
• Everyday Expenses:
  • Groceries, dining, and transportation are higher in Chicago but moderate or low elsewhere in the state.
  • Parking costs can be substantial in certain Chicago hospitals; many locum providers rely on public transportation or hospital shuttles to avoid city parking rates.
  • Illinois’s flat income tax impacts take-home pay, but agencies often adjust rates to reflect regional cost differences.

4. Major Cities and Assignment Locations

• Chicago:
  • Chicago is the state’s primary hub for advanced medical care, training, and high-acuity surgical services.
  • Assignments here often include large OR complexes, trauma services, and opportunities to work within multi-specialty teams.
  • Locum CRNAs may rotate across affiliated outpatient surgery centers or community hospitals within the same network.
• Peoria and Central Illinois:
  • OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria is a major referral hospital and trauma center, creating consistent demand for CRNA coverage.
  • Nearby smaller hospitals and ASC facilities also bring in locums for short-term and long-term assignments.
  • Cost of living is significantly lower than Chicago, making take-home income higher for locums placed here.
• Springfield:
  • The Springfield-based Memorial Health and HSHS St. John’s Hospital networks offer CRNAs a mix of large OR suites, specialty surgery, OB, and trauma exposure.
  • Locum providers may float between hospital campuses or sister facilities based on need.
• Rockford and Northern Illinois:
  • Rockford hospitals, including UW Health SwedishAmerican and OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, frequently use locum CRNAs to maintain OR staffing.
  • The area offers a quieter lifestyle and lower housing costs while remaining close to Wisconsin and the Chicago metro region.
• Southern Illinois:
  • Hospitals in Carbondale, Marion, Harrisburg, and surrounding towns rely on locums for steady OR coverage due to ongoing provider shortages.
  • Assignments here may involve a wider case mix and more autonomy, appealing to experienced CRNAs.

5. Lifestyle and Recreation

• Outdoor Activities:
  • Illinois offers hiking, biking, fishing, and boating in state parks, river systems, and lake regions. Shawnee National Forest in the south provides scenic trails and rock formations.
  • Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline offers beaches, running paths, and waterfront recreation for providers wanting urban outdoor options.
• Climate:
  • Illinois has four-season weather with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Weather can influence travel, especially for locums commuting to rural hospitals.
  • Chicago winters tend to be harsher due to wind and lake-effect patterns, while southern Illinois has a milder climate overall.
• Local Culture:
  • Illinois blends Midwestern hospitality with urban energy. Chicago’s food scene, sports culture, and performing arts draw many locum providers during downtime.
  • Smaller towns offer quieter living, community-focused culture, and easy access to parks and natural areas.

6. Things CRNAs Should Know

• Transportation and Commuting:
  • Chicago’s mass transit system (CTA and Metra) is useful for assignments within the metro area and helps avoid costly parking.
  • Most assignments outside Chicago require driving, as public transportation options are limited in rural and suburban regions.
  • Travel time between facilities can vary widely depending on traffic and weather conditions.
• Healthcare Access and System Challenges:
  • Illinois faces ongoing staffing issues, hospital consolidation, and uneven provider distribution, particularly affecting rural areas.
  • Many hospitals rely on locum CRNAs to sustain surgery schedules, staff OB units, and assist with seasonal patient volume changes.
• Professional Community:
  • IANA serves as the statewide professional organization for CRNAs, offering legislative updates, CE opportunities, and advocacy support.
  • Locum CRNAs who stay informed about practice expectations and local facility routines typically integrate more smoothly into Illinois assignments.