Almost Half of Illinoisans Have Lent Money to Pay Parents’ Bills, Reveals Survey.

• Survey of 5,014 respondents. 
• 48% of parents asked for help with paying bills. 
• Infographic included.

For decades, parents have been the go-to lenders for cash-strapped children. But new research shows the tables are turning: 48% of adult children in Illinois say they have lent money to their parents, flipping the traditional script.

According to MarketBeat’s survey of more than 5,000 respondents, the average total loaned by (adult) Illinois children comes to $900. Most cases are practical rather than indulgent: nearly half (48%) of parents asked for help with bills or day-to-day expenses, while 34% needed support in an emergency. Just 12% said the money went toward lifestyle purchases such as vacations or luxury items.

Emotionally, most children felt proud to help (78%). But cracks do show: 8% said it damaged their relationship, 6% admitted to resentment, and another 8% vowed never to lend again. A surprising 22% even said they would consider charging their parents’ interest.

This follows MarketBeat’s previous findings that parents themselves are increasingly charging kids interest on loans, averaging 5.1%, compared with the national personal loan rate of 11.25% (according to the Federal Reserve via the FRED database). 

The broader survey also reveals how families think about lending:

• Loan comfort levels: 29% of parents won’t lend more than $100 at a time, while 15% are comfortable lending $5,000 or more.
• Repayment terms: 21% expect money back within a month, 21% within six months, and 15% are willing to wait up to a year.
• Inflation’s impact: Half of parents say rising living costs have changed how much they’re willing to lend.
• Family drama: While 86% insist money hasn’t damaged relationships, 14% admitted lending has caused lasting conflict.

Interactive map showing parental rates of interest in each state

“Family lending has always been about generosity,” said Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat.com. “What’s changing is that both generations are now on the hook. Inflation and tighter household budgets mean kids are stepping in to cover the basics, and parents are sometimes acting more like banks by charging interest. These transactions aren’t just about dollars – they’re tests of trust and responsibility within the family.”