#2Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking
$125 for 10 purchases, Zelle payments or mobile deposits within 60 days
Bonus$125
ReturnFree
No money has to go in
Easy · Nationwide · Checked on Wells Fargo's own site Oct 14, 2026
Checked on each bank's own site Oct 14, 202617 bonuses from 11 banks
Best bank bonuses in Illinois
Chase Secure Banking. $175 for 10 debit purchases, bill pays or Zelle payments within 60 days. No money has to go in.
#2
#1Chase Secure Banking
$175 for 10 debit purchases, bill pays or Zelle payments within 60 days
Bonus$175
ReturnFree
No money has to go in
Easy · Nationwide · Checked on Chase's own site Oct 14, 2026
#3Huntington Perks Checking
$400 for $500 in direct deposits within 90 days
Bonus$400
Return80%
Move $500 in; it can go straight back out once it lands
Easy · 21 states · Checked on Huntington's own site Oct 14, 2026
Every checking bonus in Illinois, ranked
Return = bonus ÷ money you put in#OfferBonusMoney inStaysReturn
1
#1Chase Secure Banking$175 for 10 debit purchases, bill pays or Zelle payments within 60 daysEasy · Nationwide · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$175
Money in$0
Stays-
ReturnFree
What to do. Open Chase Secure Banking and make 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days: debit card purchases, online bill payments, Chase QuickDeposit, Zelle or ACH credits, in any mix. No direct deposit needed. Paid within 15 days of qualifying.
Your money. No money has to go in.
Fee. $4.95 a month, waived with $250 or more in electronic deposits a month or for ages 17 to 24. Free for the first two statements.
Closing early. The account has to be open when the bonus pays.
Credit check. Chase's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not for current Chase checking customers, anyone who closed a Chase checking account in the last 90 days, or anyone who got a Chase checking bonus in the last 2 years.
Watch out. Chase pays one new checking bonus every 2 years, so pick one Chase offer: they block each other.
Open in every state. Offer ends Jan 27, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Chase's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →2
#2Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking$125 for 10 purchases, Zelle payments or mobile deposits within 60 daysEasy · Nationwide · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$125
Money in$0
Stays-
ReturnFree
What to do. Open Clear Access Banking with a $25 opening deposit and make 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days: Zelle, mobile check deposits, Bill Pay, or debit card and digital wallet purchases. Paid within 30 days of qualifying.
Your money. No money has to go in.
Fee. $5 a month, waived for ages 13 to 24 or with $250 in electronic deposits a month.
Closing early. The account has to be open when the bonus pays.
Credit check. Wells Fargo's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not if you got a Wells Fargo checking bonus in the last 12 months. Online applicants must be 18 or older.
Watch out. Counts as your Wells Fargo bonus for 12 months, so it blocks the $325 Everyday Checking offer.
Open in every state. Offer ends Jan 13, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Wells Fargo's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →3
#3Huntington Perks Checking$400 for $500 in direct deposits within 90 daysEasy · Regional bank · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$400
Money in$500
StaysCan leave
Return80%
What to do. Open Perks Checking from Huntington's offer page by January 15, 2027, receive $500 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days, and keep the account open 90 days. Paid within 14 days after that.
Your money. Move $500 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Fee. $10 a month, waived with $1,000 in monthly deposits or a $5,000 relationship balance.
Closing early. Keep the account open at least 90 days.
Credit check. Huntington's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. New Huntington checking customers only. Not if you closed a Huntington checking account in the last 12 months, and Huntington may limit you to one opening bonus every 24 months.
Watch out. PayPal, Zelle, Venmo and instant RTP payments do not count as direct deposits.
Only in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin. Offer ends Jan 15, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Huntington's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →4
#4Chase Total Checking$400 for $1,000 in direct deposits within 90 daysEasy · Nationwide · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$400
Money in$1,000
StaysCan leave
Return40%
What to do. Open Chase Total Checking from Chase's offer page and get direct deposits totalling $1,000 or more within 90 days. Chase pays the bonus within 15 days of you qualifying.
Your money. Move $1,000 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Fee. $15 a month, waived with $500 or more in direct deposits a month, a $1,500 daily balance, or other ways Chase lists. Free for the first two statements.
Closing early. The account has to be open when the bonus pays. Chase's page sets no clawback after that.
Credit check. Chase's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not for current Chase checking customers, anyone who closed a Chase checking account in the last 90 days, or anyone who got a Chase checking bonus in the last 2 years.
Watch out. Only a real paycheck, pension or government deposit counts. Zelle, Venmo, transfers from your own accounts and mobile check deposits do not.
Watch out. Chase pays one new checking bonus every 2 years, so pick one Chase offer: they block each other.
Open in every state. Offer ends Jan 27, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Chase's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →5
#5Wells Fargo Everyday Checking$325 for $1,000 in electronic deposits within 90 daysEasy · Nationwide · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$325
Money in$1,000
StaysCan leave
Return33%
What to do. Open Everyday Checking from Wells Fargo's offer page with a $25 opening deposit, then receive $1,000 or more in qualifying electronic deposits within 90 days. Paid within 30 days of qualifying.
Your money. Move $1,000 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Fee. $15 a month, waived with $500 or more in electronic deposits, a $1,500 daily balance, or for ages 17 to 24.
Closing early. The account has to be open when the bonus pays.
Credit check. Wells Fargo's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. New Wells Fargo checking customers only, and not if you got a Wells Fargo checking bonus in the last 12 months.
Watch out. ACH deposits and instant RTP or FedNow payments count. Zelle, mobile deposits and transfers between your own accounts do not.
Open in every state. Offer ends Jan 13, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Wells Fargo's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →6
#6Capital One 360 Checking$250 for two direct deposits of $500 or more within 75 daysEasy · Nationwide · No monthly fee
Bonus$250
Money in$1,000
StaysCan leave
Return25%
What to do. Open 360 Checking with code CHECKING250 and receive at least two qualifying direct deposits of $500 or more each within 75 days. Capital One can take up to 60 more days to pay.
Your money. Move $1,000 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Credit check. Capital One's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not if you have had a Capital One 360, Simply or Total Control Checking account since January 1, 2024.
Watch out. Transfers you start from Capital One's own site or app do not count as direct deposits.
Open in every state. Code CHECKING250. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Capital One's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →7
#7PNC Virtual Wallet$100 for $500 in direct deposits within 60 daysEasy · Nationwide · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$100
Money in$500
StaysCan leave
Return20%
What to do. Open Virtual Wallet online from PNC's offer page and receive $500 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days. PNC pays 60 to 90 days after you qualify.
Your money. Move $500 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Fee. $7 a month unless waived (PNC lists the ways on its fee page).
Closing early. The account has to stay open, as the same product, until the bonus pays.
Credit check. PNC's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not for current PNC checking customers, anyone who closed one in the last 12 months, or anyone who got a PNC checking bonus in the last 24 months.
Watch out. PNC says the offer may vary by market, so check it for your address before you open.
Open in every state. Offer ends Jan 7, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on PNC's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →8
#8BMO Smart Advantage Checking$100 a month for 6 months ($600) for $1,000 in direct deposits each monthMedium · Regional bank · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$600
Money in$6,000
StaysCan leave
Return10%
What to do. Open Smart Advantage (or Smart Money or Relationship) Checking between September 9 and December 15, 2026. Starting the month after you open, each month with $1,000 or more in direct deposits earns $100, for up to 6 months. A missed month does not stop the later ones.
Your money. Move $6,000 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Fee. Smart Advantage has no monthly fee. Smart Money is $5, Relationship $25 unless waived.
Credit check. BMO's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not for current BMO checking customers or anyone who closed one in the last 12 months. One per person.
Watch out. It takes about 7 months to collect all six payments. Zelle, Venmo and transfers from other banks do not count.
Only in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin. Offer ends Dec 15, 2026. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on BMO's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →9
#9SoFi Checking and Savings$400 for $5,000 in direct deposits within 25 days ($50 for $1,000)Easy · Nationwide · No monthly fee
Bonus$400
Money in$5,000
StaysCan leave
Return8%
What to do. Open SoFi Checking and Savings and set up direct deposit. Deposits over the 25 days from the first one set the bonus: $5,000 or more earns $400, $1,000 to $4,999 earns $50. The first direct deposit must arrive by December 31, 2026. Paid within 7 business days, the fastest on this list.
Your money. Move $5,000 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Credit check. SoFi's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. New and existing SoFi members who have never set up direct deposit with SoFi. One per member.
Watch out. Only recurring payroll, pension or government deposits count. SoFi may report the bonus on a 1099-MISC rather than a 1099-INT.
Open in every state. Offer ends Dec 31, 2026. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on SoFi's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →10
#10PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Select$400 for $5,000 in direct deposits within 60 daysMedium · Nationwide · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$400
Money in$5,000
StaysCan leave
Return8%
What to do. Open Virtual Wallet with Performance Select online from PNC's offer page and receive $5,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days. PNC pays 60 to 90 days after you qualify.
Your money. Move $5,000 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Fee. $25 a month unless waived (PNC lists the ways on its fee page).
Closing early. The account has to stay open, as the same product, until the bonus pays.
Credit check. PNC's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not for current PNC checking customers, anyone who closed one in the last 12 months, or anyone who got a PNC checking bonus in the last 24 months.
Watch out. PNC says the offer may vary by market, so check it for your address before you open.
Open in every state. Offer ends Jan 7, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on PNC's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →11
#11Associated Bank Checking$600 for a $10,000 average balance on days 31 to 90 plus $500 in direct deposits ($300 for $1,000, $400 for $5,000)Medium · Regional bank · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$600
Money in$10,000
Stays2 months
Return6%
What to do. Open and fund a personal checking account by October 31, 2026, receive $500 or more in direct deposits within 90 days, and hold an average of $10,000 across your Associated accounts from day 31 to day 90. Paid within 120 days of opening.
Your money. Keep $10,000 in for about 2 months, which works out to about 37% a year on that money.
Fee. Access Checking has no monthly fee. Balanced is $9 and Choice $25 unless waived.
Closing early. The account has to stay open 12 months, or Associated may take the bonus back.
Credit check. Associated Bank's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not if you got an Associated checking bonus in the last 24 months and had an Associated checking account in the last 12.
Watch out. Online opening is only for the states listed.
Only in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin. Offer ends Oct 31, 2026. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Associated Bank's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →12
#12U.S. Bank Smartly Checking$450 for $8,000 in direct deposits within 90 days ($350 for $5,000, $250 for $2,000)Medium · Regional bank · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$450
Money in$8,000
StaysCan leave
Return6%
What to do. Open Smartly Checking from U.S. Bank's offer page by October 20, 2026, deposit $25 within 60 days, enrol in the app or online banking, and receive two or more direct deposits within 90 days. The total sets the bonus. Paid within 60 days of qualifying.
Your money. Move $8,000 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Fee. $12 a month after the first two statements, waived with $1,500 in monthly direct deposits, a $1,500 average balance, or for ages 13 to 24 or 65 and over.
Credit check. U.S. Bank's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. No U.S. Bank checking account, and no U.S. Bank checking bonus, in the last 12 months.
Watch out. U.S. Bank says the offer may not be open outside the states where it has branches.
Only in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Offer ends Oct 20, 2026. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on U.S. Bank's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →13
#13Old National Everyday or Preferred Checking$600 for $12,000 in direct deposits within 4 months ($300 for $3,500)Medium · Regional bank · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$600
Money in$12,000
StaysCan leave
Return5%
What to do. Open Everyday or Preferred Checking by October 30, 2026, with a $50 opening deposit, and receive three or more direct deposits totalling $12,000 within four months ($3,500 earns $300). Paid between day 121 and day 140.
Your money. Move $12,000 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Fee. Everyday is $6.95 a month, waived with $500 in direct deposits or 15 debit purchases. Preferred is $15 unless you keep $5,000.
Credit check. Old National's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not for current Old National checking customers, anyone who closed one in the last 36 months, or anyone who got an Old National bonus in the last 36 months.
Watch out. Online opening is only for the states listed.
Only in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin. Offer ends Oct 30, 2026. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Old National's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →14
#14Chase Premier Plus Checking$650 for $15,000 in new money, kept in for 90 daysMedium · Nationwide · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$650
Money in$15,000
Stays3 months
Return4%
What to do. Open Chase Premier Plus Checking, deposit $15,000 or more in new money (money not already at Chase) within 30 days, and keep at least $15,000 in for 90 days from enrolment. Paid within 15 days of qualifying.
Your money. Keep $15,000 in for about 3 months, which works out to about 18% a year on that money.
Fee. $25 a month, waived with a $15,000 average balance, which you are holding anyway. Free for the first two statements.
Closing early. The account has to be open when the bonus pays.
Credit check. Chase's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Not for current Chase checking customers, anyone who closed a Chase checking account in the last 90 days, or anyone who got a Chase checking bonus in the last 2 years.
Watch out. Chase pays one new checking bonus every 2 years, so pick one Chase offer: they block each other.
Open in every state. Offer ends Jan 27, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Chase's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →15
#15American Express Rewards Checking$300 for $7,500 in direct deposits within 90 daysMedium · Nationwide · No monthly fee
Bonus$300
Money in$7,500
StaysCan leave
Return4%
What to do. Open your first Amex Rewards Checking account by February 1, 2027, and receive $7,500 or more in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days. Paid up to 8 to 12 weeks after.
Your money. Move $7,500 in; it can go straight back out once it lands.
Closing early. The account has to be open and in good standing when the bonus pays.
Credit check. American Express's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. Only for people who already hold an American Express consumer card, or an Amex High Yield Savings account or CD. Not if you have ever had Rewards Checking.
Watch out. You need an Amex card or Amex savings first, so this is not a cold start.
Open in every state. Offer ends Feb 1, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on American Express's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →16
#16Huntington Platinum Perks Checking$600 for $25,000 in new money deposited within 90 daysMedium · Regional bank · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$600
Money in$25,000
StaysNot stated
Return2%
What to do. Open Platinum Perks Checking by January 15, 2027, deposit $25,000 or more in new money (not already at Huntington) within 90 days, and keep the account open 90 days. Paid within 14 days after that.
Your money. Put $25,000 in (the bank does not say for how long).
Fee. $25 a month, waived with a $25,000 relationship balance.
Closing early. Keep the account open at least 90 days.
Credit check. Huntington's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. New Huntington checking customers only. Not if you closed a Huntington checking account in the last 12 months.
Watch out. Huntington does not say how long the $25,000 has to stay, but the $25 monthly fee applies once you drop below it.
Only in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin. Offer ends Jan 15, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Huntington's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →17
#17Chase Private Client$1,000 for $150,000 in new money held 90 days ($2,000 for $250,000, $3,000 for $500,000)Hard · Nationwide · Monthly fee, can be waived
Bonus$1,000
Money in$150,000
Stays3 months
Return1%
What to do. Meet a Chase banker to open Chase Private Client Checking, move in qualifying new money or securities within 45 days, and keep it there for 90 days from enrolment. The balance at day 45 sets the tier. Paid within 40 days of qualifying.
Your money. Keep $150,000 in for about 3 months, which works out to about 3% a year on that money.
Fee. $35 a month, waived with a $150,000 average balance.
Closing early. The account has to be open when the bonus pays.
Credit check. Chase's offer page does not say whether it checks credit or ChexSystems.
Who qualifies. One Chase new-money bonus (Private Client, J.P. Morgan Private Client or a savings promo rate) per 12 months. The money cannot already be at Chase.
Watch out. Market gains and losses on moved securities do not count toward the balance.
Open in every state. Offer ends Jan 27, 2027. No code needed. Bank bonuses are usually taxable and reported to you on a 1099.
Full terms on Chase's own page, checked Oct 14, 2026 →How this list is kept
Read on the bank's own page
Every bonus, requirement and fee here was read from the bank's own offer page and terms, and the day it was checked is printed beside it.
The catches are on the card
Monthly fees and how to avoid them, the money you have to put in, early-closure clawbacks and who is shut out are listed with each offer, not hidden.
Ranked by return, never by who pays
Some links pay Promonyx a referral bonus. That never moves an offer up the list. Order is return on the money tied up, nothing else.
Illinois bank bonus questions
What is the best bank bonus in Illinois right now?
By return on the money it ties up, Chase Secure Banking: $175 for 10 debit purchases, bill pays or Zelle payments within 60 days. No money has to go in.
How many bank bonuses can I get in Illinois?
17 are listed in Illinois today. 6 of them are only for people in Illinois and nearby states; the rest are open nationwide. You can do more than one: each bank pays its own bonus.
What does return mean here?
The bonus divided by the money you have to put in to earn it, shown with how long that money has to stay. For a direct deposit offer the money can move straight back out once it lands; for a balance offer it stays for the time shown. Either way it is still your money, so the bonus is what you earn for moving it.
Do bank bonuses hurt my credit?
Opening a checking or savings account usually means a ChexSystems check rather than a hard credit pull, but banks differ, and none of the offers here say on their page. If it matters to you, ask the bank before you apply.
Are bank bonuses taxed?
Usually, yes. Banks report the bonus as income, usually on a 1099-INT, so it counts toward your taxable income for the year.
Bank bonuses are the easy start. Sportsbook sign-up offers pay more for the time they take, and Promonyx walks you through turning them into cash, step by step. For adults 21+.
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