Living off the grid in Illinois can be an extremely rewarding lifestyle change for those seeking self-sufficiency, sustainability, and freedom from utility costs. However, it’s important to take the proper steps to go off-grid legally within the state. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from requirements and laws to practical considerations for living comfortably off-grid in the Land of Lincoln. Standby for this longtail answer to How to Live Off Grid Legally in Illinois!
Understanding Off-Grid Living
Living “off-the-grid” refers to fully disconnecting from public utilities like electricity, water, gas, and sewage. Instead of relying on local infrastructure, off-gridders provide their own:
- Energy – Using solar panels, wind turbines, microhydropower, generators
- Water – Drilling wells, collecting rainwater, accessing springs
- Waste – Composting toilets, greywater drainage, proper waste disposal
By meeting their own needs, off-grid residents gain independence and slash utility bills. It requires an eco-conscious, self-sufficient lifestyle focused on renewable resources.
Some key perks of off-grid living include:
- Financial savings from eliminated utility bills
- Reduced environmental impact
- Self-sufficiency and survival skills
- Freedom from grids prone to disasters/outages
- Peaceful, tranquil lifestyle outdoors
But going off the grid isn’t just unplugging the TV – it takes research, planning, and appropriate home adjustments to live comfortably.
Is It Legal in Illinois?
Living off-grid is legal in the state of Illinois. However, residents must follow various regulations regarding utilities disconnection, building codes, permits, and waste management.
According to Illinois law, it is legal to generate your own electricity, collect rainwater, utilize composting toilets, and implement other off-grid solutions. However, completely disconnecting from public electrical and water utilities may be restricted in some areas.
Some key legal considerations include:
- Permits – Needed for composting toilets, well drilling, rainwater collection systems. Research local requirements.
- Zoning Laws – Check guidelines for your property’s zone regarding utilities, construction, etc.
- Building Codes – Ensure any new off-grid structures meet Illinois building codes.
- Waste – Properly manage human waste, greywater, and trash disposal yourself.
With the right preparation and adherence to laws, Illinois residents can legally disconnect from the grid for a self-reliant homestead.
Preparing to Go Off-Grid in Illinois
Making the transition to a comfortable, legal off-grid homestead takes research, planning, and lifestyle adjustments:
Research Extensively
Thoroughly review local ordinances, permit requirements, building codes, and zoning laws to ensure your off-grid plans are legal. Consult with knowledgeable local authorities.
Make a Comprehensive Plan
Carefully assess how you’ll produce your own water, electricity, waste disposal, heating, and more. Create a detailed plan accounting for costs, effort, laws, and sustainability.
Adjust Home and Lifestyle Accordingly
Make infrastructure changes like installing solar panels, composting toilets, rainwater collection systems, food gardens, etc. Prepare for an eco-conscious, self-sufficient lifestyle.
Budget Significantly
Factor in costs like solar panels, battery banks, inverters, composting toilets, septic systems, well drilling, generators, and home retrofitting. Expect big upfront costs.
Thoughtful preparation is key to successfully transitioning to off-grid living. With research, permits, and lifestyle adjustments, you can disconnect legally.
Sourcing Water Off the Grid in Illinois
Having access to fresh water is essential when living off-grid. While disconnecting from public utilities, you must find renewable ways to supply your own water.
Rainwater Harvesting
Collecting rainwater in barrels, tanks, and cisterns is an excellent off-grid water source. However, regulations regarding rainwater collection in Illinois include:
- Permits required for systems over 100 gallons.
- Water can only be used for non-potable purposes like gardening.
- Proper drainage and mosquito prevention systems must be in place.
Well Water
Drilling a private well is the most common solution for off-grid water in Illinois. Considerations include:
- Permits required for well drilling.
- Costs range from $3,000-$12,000.
- Recommended minimum well depth of 50 feet.
- Regular water testing is vital.
Other Sources
In some cases, lakes, streams, or ponds can supplement water needs if tested and purified thoroughly. Research regulations first.
Conserving water is also crucial when living off-grid. Take navy showers, install composting toilets, use greywater for irrigation, and utilize rain barrels to reduce use.
Generating Electricity Off the Grid in Illinois
Solar power is the most viable option for generating your own electricity off-grid in Illinois. Other renewable sources like wind and hydropower are restricted.
Solar Energy
Illinois has favorable laws and incentives for residential solar, making it the top choice for off-grid power. To go solar:
- Install photovoltaic solar panels, charge controllers, inverters, and batteries.
- Size your system to match your electricity demands.
- Illinois has rebates and tax incentives to offset costs.
- Ensure proper permits and installation following building codes.
Solar powered off-grid homes need enough battery storage to sustain usage at night or during bad weather. Properly sized systems with sufficient storage can eliminate electric bills completely.
Other Options
While methods like wind turbines are restricted, gasoline/propane generators can serve as an emergency backup power source when needed.
No matter what renewable power sources you use, take energy conservation measures like installing LED lights, energy efficient appliances, and good insulation.
Handling Waste Off the Grid in Illinois
When disconnecting from public sewage and waste management, off-grid residents must find ways to safely deal with human waste, greywater, and trash themselves:
Composting Toilets
Composting/incinerating toilets allow human waste to be disposed of on-site instead of into a sewer system. Models include:
- Self-contained (urine diverting, paper converter, hybrid)
- Central composting (large-scale for entire home)
Proper use eliminates odors and health hazards while producing reusable compost. Be sure to get any required permits.
Greywater Systems
Reusing water from sinks, showers, etc for irrigation keeps greywater out of septic systems. Options include:
- Direct drainage pipes to gardens/trees
- Constructed wetland filtration systems
- Sand filters to remove particles
Follow guidelines to avoid contaminating soil, surface water, or groundwater as required by Illinois law.
Waste and Recycling
You’ll need to plan for responsible waste and recycling management by:
- Composting food scraps or using as animal feed
- Burning paper waste or shredded paper for heating (follow air regulations)
- Recycling programs or regular trips to a recycling center
- Proper hazardous waste disposal
Living off-grid requires diligent waste disposal and recycling habits to avoid polluting the surrounding land and streams.
Adjusting Your Illinois Home for Off-Grid Living
Transitioning an existing home for off-grid living in Illinois requires various upgrades and adjustments:
- Insulate thoroughly – Attic insulation, seal air leaks and drafts
- Weatherproof – Install storm windows, insulated doors
- Efficient appliances – Replace with ENERGY STAR rated refrigerators, lights, electronics
- Heating/Cooling – Solar, wood stove, passive solar design instead of HVAC systems
- Water conservation – Low-flow faucets/showerheads, rainwater collection
- Structural additions – Solar panels, composting toilets, greywater systems
Consult with an experienced off-grid builder to ensure all home modifications meet Illinois building codes and electrical/plumbing regulations.
Expect significant upfront investment into your home before comfortably disconnecting from public utilities. But costs pay off over time from slashed electric, water, gas, and sewage bills.
Handling Food and Cooking Off-Grid
Rethink food sourcing, storage, and preparation for your off-grid Illinois home:
- Grow your own – Plant vegetable gardens, fruit trees, greenhouse
- Preservation – Canning, curing, dehydrating, smoking meats and produce
- Refrigeration – Root cellars, zeer pots, propane/gas refrigerators
- Cooking – Cast iron stoves, grills, solar ovens, rocket mass heaters
- Livestock – Chickens, goats, etc provide eggs, milk, meat
With some creativity and the right homesteading skills, you can sustain yourself with fresh, homegrown food and cook bountiful meals off the traditional grid. Consider taking classes, reading homesteading books, or learning from local farmers.
Developing the Skills and Plans for Off-Grid Living
Transitioning to an off-grid lifestyle requires learning new skills for self-sufficiency. It also demands careful emergency planning when not connected to public safety nets.
Learn Key Homesteading Abilities
- First aid – Take medical courses to treat injuries/illness yourself
- Food preservation – Canning, smoking meat, pickling, drying techniques
- Hunting/fishing – Stock meat for protein if desired
- Gardening – Grow staple produce and fruit organically
- Animal husbandry – Care, feeding, butchering of livestock
- Tools/machinery repair – Maintain and fix all equipment yourself
Create Emergency Plans
- Communication – Have backup radios, emergency whistles, signal systems
- Fire – Response plan, extinguishers, prevention tools
- Injury – First aid kit, knowledge to treat different scenarios
- Weather disasters – Storm shelter, evacuation routes
- Getting help – Know routes, contacts to reach hospitals/first responders
Having survival skills and emergency plans is crucial when living remotely off-grid without quick access to public services.
Stock Up on Supplies
Keep ample stores of:
- Water – Extra tanks, barrels, bottles
- Shelf-stable food – Dried, canned, preserved
- Medicine – First aid, prescription meds
- Fuel – For generators, vehicles, equipment
- Home/Farm supplies – Fencing, tools, machinery parts
Create a Community
Get to know your neighbors, collaborate on skills and equipment sharing, develop a communication system, and offer mutual aid. Having a local support network is invaluable off-grid.
With the right knowledge, preparation, and support network, off-gridders can safely and sustainably meet their own essential needs.
Costs of Off-Grid Living in Illinois
Transitioning to off-grid living in Illinois has considerable upfront costs, but pays off enormously over years of utility bill savings. Typical expenses include:
- Solar panels – $15,000-$30,000 installed for whole home
- Battery bank – $5,000-$15,000 for home energy storage
- Charge controllers and inverters – $2,000+
- Composting toilet – $2,000-$4,000
- Septic system – $6,000 average cost
- Well drilling – $3,000-$12,000 depending on depth/location
- Rainwater catchment system – $2,000-$4,000
- Home retrofitting – $5,000-$50,000 depending on changes
- Back-up generator – $3,000-$5,000
Consider buying equipment secondhand, building your own DIY systems, taking advantage of rebates/incentives, and using free resources like rainwater to save costs. Homesteading skills also reduce reliance on external goods and services.
While the upfront investment is significant, off-grid living leads to true energy independence and freedom from monthly utility bills. For the eco-conscious and self-reliant, it’s worth the price.
Community Building and Income Off-Grid
Leaving the traditional economy by moving off-grid requires building a local community and developing ways to earn income or barter:
- Get to know your neighbors – They’re an invaluable resource for knowledge, skills, tool sharing, and emergency aid.
- Find or form an off-grid community – Connect with like-minded individuals online and locally.
- Barter goods and services – Trade your homegrown food, homemade goods, skills or labor.
- Sell surplus produce/goods – Sell at local farmer’s markets, general stores, etc.
- Offer your skills – Teach, repair, guide, make goods for additional income streams.
- Online income – Build websites, write, design, take freelance gigs.
- Agrotourism – Offer tours or farmstay experiences at your off-grid homestead.
- WWOOF – Host eco-minded volunteers willing to work in exchange for room and board.
By collaborating, bartering, and utilizing all your off-grid assets, you can make a living while still disconnected the traditional economy.
Is Off-Grid Illinois Living Right for You?
While off-grid living appeals to eco-conscious, survivalist, or self-reliant types, consider whether it truly aligns with your abilities and lifestyle before taking the leap in Illinois:
Pros:
- Self-sufficient, sustainable lifestyle
- Reduced environmental impact
- No dependence on volatile public utility grids
- Huge monthly expense savings
- Homesteading skills and knowledge
- Peaceful pace of country living
Cons:
- High upfront costs for equipment and home adjustments
- Labor intensive demands for growing food, maintaining systems, etc.
- Requires lifestyle sacrifice and discomforts
- Little recourse during emergencies or disasters
- Fewer community resources and conveniences
Going off the grid in any capacity requires grit, dedication, preparation, and a mindset shift. Determine if you have the skills, time, budget, and temperament before pursuing off-grid living.
With the right planning, knowledge, and support, escaping the traditional grid in Illinois can be an immensely fulfilling adventure into true self-reliance, sustainability, and freedom.
Conclusion: Living Off-Grid in Illinois
Deciding to live off the grid in Illinois can be a huge but rewarding undertaking. It allows you to become completely energy independent, save substantially on bills, reduce your environmental impact, gain valuable homesteading skills, and live a peaceful, self-reliant lifestyle.
However, it also involves major upfront investments, comfort sacrifices, hard work, and an alternative mindset. Before taking the plunge, thoroughly research all legal considerations in Illinois regarding disconnecting utilities, waste management, zoning laws, building codes, and permits required for off-grid infrastructure.
Create a meticulous plan and budget for meeting your own water, power, heat, and waste needs sustainably. Adjust your home and lifestyle accordingly, focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, and self-sufficiency.
While challenging, living off the electric grid, water grid, sewage grid, and other public utilities in Illinois can provide true freedom, survival skills, and deep connection to the land for the right hardy, passionate, eco-conscious individuals. Use this guide to start your journey towards independence in the Land of Lincoln.
