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Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letters for Illinois Residents
An ESA letter guarantees your pet will always be welcome in your home
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Getting an emotional support animal (ESA) letter in Illinois is easier than you think — especially with Pettable. First, take our online ESA assessment quiz to determine your eligibility. Next, we will match you with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) practicing in Illinois, determined in part by your specific mental health disorder. Your LMHP will schedule a virtual evaluation where you can discuss your challenges and needs, and they can diagnose your mental health disorder. Finally, they will issue your official ESA letter, which you’ll receive within 24-48 hours.
Answer a few questions about your ESA needs
We'll match you to a professional in your state
Receive it within 24 hours of getting approved *
We'll help with any extra forms you need signed and our therapists are available to talk to your landlord anytime, for an additional fee.
* For California residents, effective January 1, 2022, new law AB 468 requires those seeking an ESA letter for dogs to establish a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing documentation, which will result in having two consultations before qualifying.
The state of Illinois acknowledges the difficulties that can come with mental and emotional disabilities. It also recognizes the significant role an emotional support animal can play in a person's treatment plan for such disabilities.
Because of this, any Illinois resident with an emotional or mental disability can live anywhere in the state with an emotional support animal, as long as you first obtain an ESA housing letter.
In Illinois, there are no state-specific laws related to ESAs, but thanks to the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), these assistance animals have some serious protections. The FHA prohibits housing companies and landlords from discriminating against disabled Americans when it comes to their housing. Thanks to this law, housing managers are required to allow your ESA to live with you in your rental home or apartment, regardless of any no-pet rules. They are also forbidden from charging any pet fees, deposits, or extra rent due to your ESA, so wherever you may live in the Prairie State — or anywhere else in the U.S.
However, other federal laws regarding assistance animals, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), do not apply to ESAs. Because they are not considered service animals, they are not normally allowed in public spaces and accommodations, and they aren’t guaranteed special privilege during air travel. Only service animals are covered by these laws, in Illinois and beyond.
Get Your ESA LetterWhen it comes to owning an emotional support animal (ESA) in Illinois, it can be confusing to determine whether you need some sort of certification. What you need is a specialized document called an ESA letter. Whether you live in Chicago or downstate, this is the only documentation you need to guarantee your housing rights. If a company tries to sell you a “certificate” or “registration” instead of an ESA letter, you’re being sold an illegitimate product that does not affirm your FHA rights.
Another fraudulent product running rampant online is “ESA registration.” This would be paying for a company or organization to put you and your assistance animal’s information and store it in a database. In Illinois, and the U.S., in general, ESA registration is not required and has no bearing on your animal’s status. There are no federal or state registries for ESAs or service animals, and there’s no law demanding that you register your critter anywhere. In fact, if all you have is your ESA in a registry without having an ESA letter, your animal is merely a pet.
If you’re a resident of Illinois and you’re struggling with mental health challenges, you probably qualify for an ESA. This type of assistance animal classification is available to anyone living with a mental health disorder or emotional struggles. Qualifying conditions include:
Owning an ESA in Illinois comes with significant housing benefits, including relief from additional pet rent, deposits, or fees due to the protective measures provided by an ESA certification. This allows you and your pet to reside in many housing situations without extra charges, even in buildings that typically enforce a no-pets policy, ensuring your support animal can stay with you without posing financial burdens or restrictions, given they are not a threat to the property or other residents.
Having an ESA naturally involves caretaking activities that can help foster a structured daily routine. Engaging in regular activities such as walking your dog, interacting with your cat, or caring for your bird encourages physical activity and mental engagement, steering your focus away from daily stressors towards fulfilling responsibilities.
The responsibility of looking after an ESA can significantly bolster your mental and emotional health. The companionship of an assistance animal can mitigate feelings of isolation, offer comforting physical contact, and enhance your self-esteem and emotional resilience.
If you think you need more than just emotional support, consider adding a psychiatric service dog to your life, and benefit from all the federal protections that come with it. To get started, take Pettable’s online PSD training plan quiz and let us guide your way. If you already have a canine companion, we’ll help you train them to perform tasks directly related to your mental health disorder. Together, you and your PSD can have a more enjoyable life together.
Get Your ESA Letter
Pettable has a network of experienced mental health specialists that can aid you in every state. They can provide an ESA letter that is recognized both in-state and out-of-state. Whether it be by answering questions from a landlord or travel organization that may require additional documentation, your Pettable mental health specialist will be on your side.
1. We Guarantee Our Letters Will Work For You
We believe you should not have to worry about your letter working or not. That's why at Pettable we offer a satisfaction guarantee - meaning your letter works or you get your money back.
2. World Class Mental Health Professionals
We have built a team of world-class mental health professionals who can write you an ESA Letter guaranteed to work anywhere you go.
3. Unparalleled Customer Support
We know getting your animal approved to travel or live with you can be stressful, which is why we invest so much in our team of dedicated support specialists to make sure you are always taken care of and have the support you need!
4. Licensed in all 50 states
Our network of mental health professionals is deep and spans across the entire country. Additionally, we have a deep team of mental health professionals to make sure we can meet any timeline.
5. Human Connection & Legitimate Evaluations
For your letter to work, you need to have a live consultation with a mental health professional. At Pettable we make sure our clinicians adhere to HUD standards and conduct consultations over the phone to get to know you and your mental health situation well.
1. We Guarantee Our Letters Will Work For You
We believe you should not have to worry about your letter working or not. That's why at Pettable we offer a satisfaction guarantee - meaning your letter works or you get your money back.
2. World Class Mental Health Professionals
We have built a team of world class mental health professionals who can write you a PSD Letter prescription guaranteed to work anywhere you go.
3. Unparalleled Customer Support
We know getting your animal approved to travel or live with you can be stressful, which is why we invest so much in our team of dedicated support specialists to make sure you are always taken care of and have the support you need!
4. Licensed in all 50 states
Our network of mental health professionals is deep and spans across the entire country. Additionally, we have a deep team of mental health professionals to make sure we can meet any timeline.
5. Best In Class Legal Support
We are here to make sure your housing and travel needs are taken care of so you don't worry. Our legal team is dedicated to having your back should you need it!
6. Human Connection & Legitimate Evaluations
In order for your letter to work you need to have a live consultation with a mental health professional. At Pettable we make sure our clinicians adhered to HUD standards and conduct consultations over the phone to get to know you and your mental health situation well.
Pettable offers more security and transparency than any other online ESA letter-writing service out there. We surveyed the top online ESA sites, the services they provide, and objective reviews from 3rd party sites – the chart below shows our findings.
The things that set us apart? We provide a satisfaction guarantee for your ESA letter. We always have live consultations between the LMHP and the client. We maintain transparency about our processes. Don't believe us? Just check out the ratings and reviews from real customers who recommend our service.
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MSW, LCSW
Jennifer Bronsnick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Anxiety Treatment Specialist, & Heartmath Certified Trainer. She provides customized workshops and trainings to working professionals and teams to help build resilience and reduce stress with practical strategies.
MSW, LCSW
I graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before obtaining my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 2021. I have eight years of experience in the mental health field working in and with various populations, including case management, intake coordination, and residential, inpatient, and outpatient programs. I am certified in Brainspotting to help individuals deeply process negative emotions and trauma/significant life events. Additionally, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and safety planning in sessions/groups.
LCSW
As a clinical social worker, I have been able to work within multiple types of settings, such as hospitals, community centers, and family welfare. I enjoy having the clinical and administrative experience to holistically serve those I work with.
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