Illinois Code § 2-10

§ 2-10.

"Residence": The establishment of a permanent home within this State. A person is deemed to have established his permanent home within this State if he has acquired by purchase, rental, or other arrangement housing facilities which he uses as his home; has located his household equipment, furnishings and personal belongings therein; and is or has been employed, is seeking employment, or is engaged in other self-support activity, in the community in which he lives or within a distance reasonably proximate thereto, within or without the State, which is accessible to his home by public or private transportation facilities and to which he regularly commutes, or, if he cannot engage in employment or other self-support activity, is maintained in such home by relatives responsible for his support or by other sources or means of maintenance and support. A person shall not be required to occupy a permanent dwelling or have a fixed home or mailing address in order to establish a permanent home within this State. However, a recipient who moves from this State for the purpose of obtaining employment or other means of support or care shall retain his residence eligibility for a period of 12 months, provided he has not acquired residence eligibility for public aid under the laws of any State to which he has moved. The residence of a married woman shall be that of her husband unless they are living separate and apart, in which case she may acquire a separate residence. Minor children shall have the residence of their father if they reside with him; if they reside with their mother they shall have her residence. A minor, neither of whose parents has acquired a residence, may acquire a residence as if he or she were a person of full age. Every minor upon marriage may acquire a residence as if he or she were a person of full age. Applicants for or recipients of public aid shall meet such durational requirements as to residence as may be specified in the Article governing the category under which they are applying for or receiving aid. Temporary absence from the State, absence while in the service of the State or Nation, or entry into a hospital or other medical care institution outside the State for medical treatment, shall not affect a person's residence. A recipient of aid under Article III, IV or VI who, for any reason, has remained outside the State for a continuous period of more than 12 months shall prima facie be presumed to have lost his residence and shall receive no further aid unless and until he submits evidence sufficient to prove he has retained his residence. If the evidence proves that the absence was without intention to change his residence, the recipient shall be deemed to have maintained his residence eligibility and the grant of aid shall be continued or resumed. (Source: P.A. 85-1231.)