To get an ESA letter in Illinois, you must first meet with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) who finds you qualify for an emotional support animal. With the rise of the telehealth marketplace, this process has never been easier. By connecting with one of our mental health professionals licensed in your state, you can avoid the hassles of long lines and traffic that might come with meeting someone in person.
Connect with one of our vetted LMHPs today to learn if you are eligible for an emotional support animal in Illinois – without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home!
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 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.
Illinois falls subject to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which specify that emotional support animals must be allowed to live with their owners, with reasonable accommodation from the housing provider. The tenant must simply provide the landlord with a valid ESA letter to be accommodated. This is true regardless of the landlord's pet policy, and the tenant cannot be charged any pet fees or required to adhere to any breed or weight restrictions for their ESA.
When it comes to the employment rights of ESA owners, Illinois law does not specify that emotional support animals must be accepted at the workplace – only service animals are offered this protection. However, this leaves the decision up to the employer of whether or not to admit an ESA. Present your ESA letter and ask your boss or your HR department if they might be willing to accommodate your animal.
With recent updates to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), airlines are no longer required to accept emotional support animals (only service animals). Because of this, it is now at the discretion of a specific airline whether or not to admit your ESA. Call ahead of time and ask if they will not be accommodating to your support animal. If not, you can have your ESA fly with you as a regular pet, or you can train them as a psychiatric service animal and obtain a PSD letter.
Emotional support animals are also not allowed access to most public places the way service animals are. Some establishments will allow your assistance animal, as long you present a valid ESA letter. Otherwise, you can seek out places that already have a pet-friendly environment.
You must meet with a mental health professional licensed in your state to determine if you qualify for an ESA in Illinois. Working through a telehealth marketplace, such as Pettable, is one of the easiest ways to do this. Each of the experienced professionals on our country-wide team has expertise in conducting mental health assessments for clients with assistance animals. Connect with one today!
Because Pettable offers a selection of world-class mental health professionals, with clinicians licensed in every state throughout the country. Because we have a highly qualified legal team that ensures our processes follow federal and state laws – ready to aid you should any issues arise with your ESA or PSD accommodation requests. Because our customer support is top-notch. And because we guarantee our letters will work for you (or your money back).
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 or PSD letter. We always have live consultations between the LMHP and the client. We maintain transparency about our processes. And we provide outstanding legal support. Don't believe us? Just check out the ratings and reviews from real customers who recommend our service.
Money Back Guarantee*
Live Consultations
Transparent Team
Legal Support
Reviews
*your purchase will be refunded 100% if your landlord denies your letter
Bolutife "Bolu", LCSW-S, MPA
Licensed Therapist
Equipped with over 13 years, Bolu has worked with various populations (adolescents, couples, families, and adults), but finds passion in working with the BIPOC community suffering from trauma.
Shaunae, M.S., LPC
Licensed Therapist
I have worked in the mental health field for 10 years with experience across diverse populations and communities. I’m dedicated to ensuring the best care possible.
Michael, LPC, LCDC
Licensed Therapist
I graduated from UT Dallas with my BA in Psychology, University of the Southwest with my MS in counseling, and California Southern University with my PsyD in Psychology, but have been an LPC and LCDC since 2011.
Jasmine, LCMHC
Licensed Therapist
I graduated with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Psychology. I completed my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since graduating, I have been working in private practice.
Rhiana, MA, LPC, LAC
Licensed Professional Counselor
I primarily work with people experiencing homelessness. I began doing emotional support evaluations to increase housing access to all.
Melissa, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. I graduated from the Catholic University's National Catholic School of Social Service with a Master of Social Work.
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