Staunton at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 4,951, placing it 332nd among Illinois's 1,294 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 5,058 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 2.1% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Illinois places: the 332nd-largest of 1,294 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 74% of places in Illinois are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 39.0117, -89.7907.
- Nearest larger cities: Litchfield, IL (13 mi); Bethalto, IL (16 mi); Highland, IL (18 mi); Wood River, IL (19 mi); Edwardsville, IL (19 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller communities: Williamson, IL (2 mi); Livingston, IL (3 mi); White City, IL (4 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Staunton
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Illinois lending rules that apply in Staunton
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Financial Institutions Source says: "DFI licenses, charters, and examines a wide variety of financial products and services including: Consumer and Sales Finance and Collection Agencies". | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
| Installment lender net-worth requirement | $30,000 minimum positive net worth (plus $25,000 surety bond) Source says: "every applicant shall prove ... that the applicant has and will maintain a positive net worth of a minimum of $30,000". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 9% annual percentage rate (general written-contract interest cap) Source says: "it shall be lawful for the parties to stipulate or agree that an annual percentage rate of 9%, or any less sum". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license; capped at 36% annual percentage rate (payday loans) Source says: "shall not contract for or receive a charge exceeding a 36% annual percentage rate ... for a payday loan". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Installment Loan Act license required from the Director of Financial Institutions (loans above 9% APR) Source says: "No person ... shall engage in the business of making loans of money ... except ... after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Staunton
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Staunton:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Illinois using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.