Steward at a glance
- Population: 224 — 1,075th in Illinois, which has 1,294 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 228 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 1.8% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Illinois places: 1,075th largest of 1,294 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 17% of Illinois places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 41.8483, -89.0200 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Rochelle, IL (5 mi); Lee, IL (5 mi); Creston, IL (6 mi); Hillcrest, IL (8 mi); Shabbona, IL (9 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places nearby: West Brooklyn, IL (13 mi); Troy Grove, IL (27 mi); Arlington, IL (29 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Steward
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Illinois lending rules that apply in Steward
The table carries the Illinois rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Steward.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Steward
Before you commit to a personal loan in Steward, work through these steps:
- 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.