Cornell at a glance
- Population: about 440 residents, ranking 907th of 1,294 Census places in Illinois (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 450 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.2% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Illinois places: 907th out of 1,294 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 30% of the Census places in Illinois (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 40.9920 latitude, -88.7299 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Pontiac, IL (8 mi); Flanagan, IL (10 mi); Streator, IL (11 mi); Odell, IL (11 mi); Minonk, IL (17 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Smaller places close by: Long Point, IL (9 mi); Dana, IL (12 mi); Ransom, IL (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Cornell
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Illinois lending rules that apply in Cornell
The table carries the Illinois rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Cornell.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Cornell
Run through this list before signing anything in Cornell:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Illinois using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.