Personal loans in Caledonia, IL
With about 180 residents, Caledonia ranks 1,123rd by population among the 1,294 Census places in Illinois. Its population fell about 1.6% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate. If you are shopping for a personal loan in Caledonia, the rules that govern the loan are Illinois' statewide consumer-lending statutes, and the nearest larger metro is Timberlane, IL about 3 miles away.
What is specific to borrowing in Caledonia
- Population: 180 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate) — the 1,123rd-largest place of 1,294 in Illinois.
- Population trend: Its population fell about 1.6% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate.
- Size percentile: larger than about 13% of the Census places in Illinois.
- Location: 42.3686, -88.8939 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Timberlane (3 mi); Poplar Grove (3 mi); Loves Park (6 mi); Machesney Park (7 mi); Roscoe (7 mi). Larger metros often have more walk-in branches, but online lenders serve Caledonia on the same terms.
- Nearest smaller towns: Ridott (30 mi); Adeline (34 mi); Old Mill Creek (47 mi).
Illinois lending rules that apply in Caledonia
| 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 a personal loan works in Caledonia
Most loans offered to Caledonia residents are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged and the lender relies on your credit history instead. That is why the quoted APR moves so much with your credit score: a borrower with excellent credit may see a single-digit APR, while a borrower with damaged credit may see rates in the high twenties or thirties. Checking your credit report before you apply — and disputing any error — is the highest-leverage step you can take.
Before you apply in Caledonia
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run the numbers with our personal loan calculator so you know the payment before a lender tells you.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check the lender is licensed in Illinois using the regulator listed above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I get a personal loan with bad credit in Caledonia?
How much can I borrow with a personal loan in Caledonia?
Does a personal loan in Caledonia require collateral?
Will shopping for a loan in Caledonia hurt my credit?
Nearby places
- Timberlane, IL — population 903
- Poplar Grove, IL — population 5,129
- Belvidere, IL — population 25,297
- Loves Park, IL — population 23,335
- Roscoe, IL — population 10,843
- Machesney Park, IL — population 22,630
- Cherry Valley, IL — population 2,864
- Capron, IL — population 1,395