St. Johns at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 158 residents, ranking 1,163rd of 1,294 places in Illinois (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 161 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 1.9% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Illinois places: 1,163rd in population of 1,294 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 10% of Illinois's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.0349, -89.2386 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Du Quoin, IL (2 mi); Pinckneyville, IL (6 mi); Dowell, IL (7 mi); Tamaroa, IL (7 mi); Elkville, IL (9 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller places nearby: Rockwood, IL (28 mi); Macedonia, IL (29 mi); Walnut Hill, IL (32 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in St. Johns
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Illinois lending rules that apply in St. Johns
The table carries the Illinois rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in St. Johns.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in St. Johns
A few practical steps will make the process in St. Johns less costly:
- 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.