Third Lake at a glance
- Population: about 1,097 residents, ranking 624th of 1,294 Census places in Illinois (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 1,114 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 1.5% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Illinois places: 624th-largest of 1,294 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 52% of Illinois's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.3698 / -88.0091, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Grayslake, IL (2 mi); Lindenhurst, IL (3 mi); Gurnee, IL (4 mi); Round Lake Beach, IL (4 mi); Hainesville, IL (4 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Old Mill Creek, IL (5 mi); Mettawa, IL (10 mi); Indian Creek, IL (10 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Third Lake
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
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.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Illinois lending rules that apply in Third Lake
The table carries the Illinois rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Third Lake.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Third Lake
Before you share your details with a lender in Third Lake:
- 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.