Your Illinois LINK card opens the door to some of the best museum discounts in the country. In 2026, Illinois Food Stamps recipients can walk into the Art Institute of Chicago for free — including every ticketed special exhibition — along with free or deeply discounted admission at the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (MSI), Brookfield Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, and more than 40 additional museums, botanical gardens, and cultural institutions statewide.
Your LINK card also qualifies you for half-price Amazon Prime, a dollar-for-dollar produce match through Link Up Illinois at participating farmers markets, a $5 annual Divvy bike share membership, Lifeline phone discounts, Summer EBT for children, and energy bill assistance.
This is the complete guide to every EBT discount available to Illinois residents in 2026, organized by venue and program.
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A Note on the Illinois LINK Card
Illinois’s EBT card is officially called the Illinois LINK card. If you receive SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits in Illinois, your benefits are loaded onto your LINK card each month. When museums and venues ask to see your “SNAP card,” “EBT card,” or “Link card,” your Illinois LINK card is what you present.
WIC ID cards are also accepted in place of the LINK card at most Museums for All participants in Illinois. The EBT card is used only to verify SNAP enrollment — you pay any admission price separately with cash, debit, or credit card. Your LINK card balance cannot be used to pay for museum admission.
P-EBT cards do not qualify for Museums for All admission at most Illinois venues, including the Adler Planetarium. Regular monthly LINK cards are accepted.
Museums for All venues in Illinois accept LINK cards from any state — you do not need to be an Illinois resident to receive the discount at most locations.
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Amazon Prime — Half Price for Illinois LINK Cardholders
Illinois Food Stamps recipients qualify for Amazon Prime at $6.99 per month — less than half the standard $14.99 monthly rate. The membership includes free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and the ability to shop SNAP-eligible groceries through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods pickup and delivery in qualifying Illinois ZIP codes.
Sign up for discounted Amazon Prime here — verify your SNAP enrollment by uploading a photo of your Illinois LINK card or a recent benefit letter. A credit or debit card is required as a backup payment method. The $6.99 fee cannot be charged to your LINK card balance. A free 30-day trial is available if you have never had Amazon Prime before.
Chicago Museum Campus — The Big Five
Illinois has one of the most extraordinary concentrations of Museums for All discounts in the country. Chicago’s Museum Campus alone is home to three of the most generous EBT admission programs in the United States.
Art Institute of Chicago — Free general admission every day for LINK and WIC cardholders and anyone in their households. This is one of the most generous EBT admission policies in the country — the Art Institute extends the discount to the cardholder’s entire household and it applies to all ticketed special exhibitions as well as permanent collection galleries. Simply present your LINK card and a valid photo ID at either the Michigan Avenue entrance (111 South Michigan Avenue) or the Modern Wing entrance (159 East Monroe Street). No advance reservation required for LINK cardholders. Children under 14 are always free for everyone, and Chicago teens under 18 are always free for everyone. The Art Institute also offers free Illinois resident admission on Third Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. beginning April 16, 2026, and Free Summer Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m., June 11 through September 17, 2026.
Field Museum — $3 per person for up to six people with any EBT or WIC card from any state. Show your LINK card at the museum ticket counter — this discount is not available for online purchases. The Field Museum is one of the world’s premier natural history institutions, home to more than 40 million specimens and artifacts, the largest collection of Tsimshian totem poles outside of Canada, and Sue — the most complete and best-preserved T. rex skeleton ever found. Free Wednesdays for Illinois residents are also available throughout the year; check fieldmuseum.org for the current schedule.
Shedd Aquarium — Free general admission for up to four people per LINK or WIC card from any state. The Shedd is one of the most visited aquariums in the world, featuring beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters, penguins, sharks, stingrays, piranhas, and more than 32,000 animals across permanent exhibits and seasonal experiences including Stingray Touch (open late May through Labor Day). Museums for All admission at the Shedd includes all exhibits and animal spotlights. The 4D Experience can be added for $4.95 per person. Advance reservations are strongly recommended — tickets sell out quickly. Online reservations include a $5 convenience fee per order, which you can avoid by calling 312-939-2438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central Time. Free walk-up reservations are subject to availability. Any state’s EBT or WIC card is accepted.
Adler Planetarium — $1 per person for up to six people, including one sky show per guest. The Adler Planetarium is America’s first planetarium, located on the southern tip of the Museum Campus with unobstructed views of the Chicago skyline across Lake Michigan. The $1 Museums for All rate includes museum entry and one sky show. If you want to upgrade and add an additional sky show, the cost is $3 per guest. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Adler box office. No online purchase is available for the Museums for All rate. P-EBT cards do not qualify. The Adler also offers free Wednesday evening admission for Illinois residents from 4 to 10 p.m. — admission is always free for Illinois Pre-K through grade 12 teachers year-round.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) — Free general admission for up to two adults and up to six children under 18, per LINK or WIC card from any state. MSI is one of the largest science museums in the world, with more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits. Permanent exhibits include the Henry Crown Space Center, the Coal Mine, Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle, Science Storms, U-505 (a captured World War II German submarine, requiring a separate ticket for the on-board tour), and Train Factory. The free Museums for All rate covers museum entry only — the Giant Dome Theater, Fab Lab, and certain special experiences require separate tickets. Advance tickets can be reserved by calling (773) 684-1414 and mentioning Museums for All for fast, contactless admission. If you do not reserve in advance, present your LINK card at the ticket counter upon arrival. MSI also offers free Illinois resident admission on select dates throughout the year — check griffinmsi.org for the current schedule.
Chicago — Additional Museum Campus and Lakefront Venues
Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe) — Free admission every day for everyone — no EBT card needed. Illinois LINK cardholders receive the additional perk of reduced parking at $10 per vehicle, compared to the standard rate of $25 to $30 per car. The Chicago Botanic Garden spans 385 acres with 27 display gardens in Glencoe, about 25 miles north of downtown Chicago.
Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago) — Always free for everyone, every day. The Lincoln Park Zoo has been free to the public since it opened in 1868, making it one of the last free zoos in the United States. The zoo is also a Museums for All member. Chicago Public Library cardholders can check out a pass to receive 10% off food and retail purchases throughout the zoo during their visit.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago (Brookfield) — Free general admission for up to four people with any EBT or WIC card through the Museums for All program. Present your LINK card at the ticket booth. Parking fees still apply on Museums for All visits. Brookfield Zoo also offers free admission to all guests on select winter free days — in 2026 this included every day from January 5 through February 28, with exceptions on January 19 and February 16. Brookfield Zoo is home to great apes, polar bears, giraffes, Humboldt penguins, a living coral reef, and the Hamill Family Wild Encounters habitat for animal encounters.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) — $3 suggested admission for up to six people with a LINK or WIC card. All children are always free at the MCA. Illinois residents also receive free admission every Tuesday. The MCA is one of the nation’s largest multidisciplinary museums devoted to contemporary art from 1945 to the present — the collection and changing exhibitions include painting, photography, sculpture, video, and performance art. Located on East Chicago Avenue a block from Lake Michigan.
Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier — Discounted Museums for All admission with a LINK or WIC card. Free admission for veterans and active-duty military every day with valid military ID. Verify the current EBT rate before visiting at chicagochildrensmuseum.org.
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center — Discounted Museums for All admission. The oldest museum of African American history in the United States, located in Washington Park on Chicago’s South Side. Free admission for all Illinois public school students in grades K–12.
International Museum of Surgical Science (Chicago) — Free admission for up to four people with a LINK card. This 10,000-square-foot museum in a Gold Coast mansion is the only museum in North America dedicated exclusively to the history of surgery. The collection includes surgical instruments, artifacts, and rotating exhibits spanning ancient medicine to modern surgical innovation. Located at 1524 North Lake Shore Drive. Free admission is available for all visitors on the last Wednesday of each month.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (Chicago) — Discounted Museums for All admission. The museum features the celebrated Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, a 2,700-square-foot glass conservatory with more than 75 butterfly species in free flight. Free admission for Illinois residents every Thursday during donation days. Located in Lincoln Park.
Chicago History Museum — Discounted Museums for All admission. Explores the full arc of Chicago history including the Great Fire of 1871, the World’s Columbian Exposition, the jazz and blues era, and the civil rights movement. Illinois children under 18 are always free. Illinois residents also receive free admission on select days throughout the year.
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art (Chicago) — Discounted Museums for All admission. Children under 18 are always free. Located in River West, Intuit is the only museum in the Midwest dedicated to the work of self-taught and outsider artists, including the Henry Darger Room Collection.
Chicago — Free or Always-Free Venues (No EBT Needed)
Several Chicago-area cultural institutions are free to everyone, every day — no LINK card required. These are worth knowing for any day out.
National Museum of Mexican Art (Pilsen) — Free admission always. More than 10,000 pieces covering 3,000 years of Mexican and Chicano art and culture. The largest Latino arts organization in the United States.
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (Humboldt Park) — Free admission always. The only freestanding museum in the world devoted exclusively to Puerto Rican arts and culture, located in the historic Humboldt Park Boathouse.
Oriental Institute Museum (University of Chicago) — Free admission with a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children. One of the world’s foremost collections of ancient Near Eastern art and archaeology, spanning Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, and the ancient Middle East.
Smart Museum of Art (University of Chicago) — Free admission always.
Garfield Park Conservatory — Free admission always. One of the largest botanical conservatories in the world, with eight plant houses including a fern room, palm house, and desert house. Free admission on most days; some special events require tickets.
Chicagoland Suburbs
Cantigny Park (Wheaton) — Admission to the park is always free. Illinois LINK cardholders and WIC recipients receive a reduced parking rate of $1 per vehicle for up to eight passengers, compared to the standard parking fee. Ticketed events, fee-based programs, and paid tours are not included in the EBT parking discount. Cantigny Park is home to the First Division Museum, the Robert R. McCormick Museum, and 27 acres of formal display gardens. Everyone receives free admission on the first Wednesday of each month.
Wonderworks Children’s Museum (St. Charles) — $3 per person, for up to four people, with a LINK or WIC card. A hands-on children’s museum in St. Charles designed for young learners ages 1 through 12.
Morton Arboretum (Lisle) — Discounted Museums for All admission. A 1,700-acre outdoor museum of trees, plants, and landscapes about 25 miles west of Chicago, offering hiking trails, seasonal displays, and year-round programming for families. Verify the current EBT rate before visiting at mortonarb.org.
Downstate Illinois — Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, Aurora, Champaign, and Beyond
Children’s Discovery Museum (Normal) — $3 per person, for up to six people, with an Illinois LINK card or WIC. A hands-on children’s museum in a historic pavilion building in Glen Oak Park in Normal, adjacent to the Peoria Zoo.
PlayHouse at Glen Oak Pavilion (Peoria) — Discounted EBT admission for LINK and WIC cardholders. Interactive programming for toddlers, families, and children.
Peoria Riverfront Museum — $3 per person, for up to four people, with a LINK card. Admission includes access to the planetarium. A wide-ranging museum covering art, history, and science, with a Giant Screen Theatre and the Dome Planetarium. One of the most comprehensive regional museums in Illinois.
SciTech Hands-On Museum (Aurora) — Discounted Museums for All admission with a LINK card. More than 200 interactive STEAM exhibits — every exhibit is designed as a mini-experiment. Located in downtown Aurora.
Aurora Regional Fire Museum — Discounted Museums for All admission. Over 1,000 artifacts and 2,000 photographs chronicling the history of firefighting. Located in the historic downtown Aurora fire station.
Grand Army of the Republic Military Museum (Aurora) — Free admission. Explores the history of American veterans from the Civil War era through the present.
Quincy Children’s Museum (Quincy) — 50% off admission and memberships with a LINK card. The discount also applies to military families and local foster families.
Link Up Illinois — Produce Matching at Farmers Markets and Stores
Link Up Illinois is Illinois’s produce incentive program, operated by the Experimental Station. Illinois does not participate in the Double Up Food Bucks national network — Link Up Illinois is the equivalent program for the state.
When you use your LINK card at a participating farmers market, you receive a dollar-for-dollar match in Link Match Vouchers to spend on fresh local fruits and vegetables. Many markets match up to $25 per swipe, with unlimited swipes — meaning you can swipe multiple times in the same visit and receive matching vouchers each time.
Link Match Vouchers are for fresh produce only. They cannot be used for non-produce items. Link Match Vouchers do not have an expiration date — they carry over to future visits and future seasons. P-EBT benefits can be used at participating markets but are no longer eligible for matching funds at most locations.
Link Up Illinois operates at participating farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs, mobile markets, food co-ops, and select grocery stores statewide, including certain locations of Cermak Fresh Market, Jewel-Osco, and Tony’s Fresh Market. Not all stores in those chains participate — check each store’s status before visiting.
Find participating Link Up Illinois locations at experimentalstation.org or through the Illinois IDHS farmers market directory at dhs.state.il.us. You can also search the USDA Farmers Market Directory and filter by “Payment Accepted: SNAP” to find markets near you.
Divvy Bike Share — $5 per Year for Chicago and Evanston Residents
The Divvy for Everyone (D4E) program offers a discounted Divvy bike share annual membership for $5 per year — compared to the standard $143 per year — for qualifying low-income residents of Chicago and Evanston. SNAP enrollment is one of the primary qualifying credentials.
Divvy is Chicago’s public bike share system, with thousands of bikes and docking stations across the city. A $5 annual Divvy membership provides unlimited 45-minute rides throughout the year. Apply at divvybikes.com/pricing/d4e or find a local partner organization that can help you apply in person.
Explore More Illinois — Free Museum Access Through Public Libraries
Illinois residents with a library card at a participating Illinois public library can access free or discounted admission to dozens of museums and attractions statewide through the Explore More Illinois program, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Griffin MSI, Shedd Aquarium, and many others. The passes are now digital — log in with your library card at chipublib.org/digitalpasses (for Chicago Public Library cardholders) or through your local library’s Explore More Illinois portal to reserve free admission passes.
This program is separate from and can be combined with the Museums for All LINK card discount — if you have both a library card and a LINK card, you have access to two different free or reduced admission tracks at many Chicago museums.
Phone Service — Lifeline
Illinois LINK cardholders automatically qualify for the federal Lifeline program, which provides up to $9.25 per month off a monthly phone or internet bill. Many participating Lifeline providers in Illinois offer unlimited talk and text plans for free or at very low cost for qualifying households. Some carriers include a free smartphone for new enrollees. Visit lifelinesupport.org to find participating Illinois providers and apply.
Internet Service — Discounted Broadband Plans
SNAP enrollment qualifies Illinois households for discounted home internet through several national providers. Comcast Xfinity Internet Essentials, AT&T Access, and other carriers offer reduced-cost plans to qualifying low-income customers. Online grocery ordering is also available to Illinois LINK cardholders through Amazon, Walmart, and Aldi/Instacart — SNAP benefits can be used at checkout for SNAP-eligible food items.
Summer EBT — Illinois SUN Bucks for Children
Illinois participates in the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program, which provides $120 per eligible child per summer loaded onto an EBT card for grocery purchases when school meals are unavailable. The program is available to school-age children who receive free or reduced-price school meals during the school year. Most Illinois SNAP households with eligible children are enrolled automatically. Keep the SUN Bucks card — it may be reloaded in future summers.
Free School Meals for Children
Illinois SNAP households automatically qualify their school-age children for free school meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Illinois uses direct certification — you typically do not need to file a separate free and reduced meals application if your household already receives Food Stamps through IDHS.
Energy Bill Assistance — LIHEAP
Illinois LINK cardholders automatically qualify for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps pay heating and cooling costs. In Illinois, LIHEAP is administered through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and local community action agencies. Funding is seasonal and limited — apply early in the heating or cooling season. Contact 211 Illinois (dial 2-1-1) to find LIHEAP resources in your county.
Walmart+ and Instacart+ — Discounted Delivery Memberships
Walmart+ is available to SNAP recipients for approximately 50% off the standard $12.95 monthly price — around $6.47 per month. Includes free grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more, free shipping on Walmart.com, and Paramount+ streaming. Walmart accepts Illinois LINK card for online grocery pickup and delivery at participating Illinois locations.
Instacart+ is available to EBT cardholders who have placed at least one SNAP order on Instacart within the past six months for $4.99 per month for the first year. Instacart accepts Illinois LINK card at participating Illinois retailers including Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, Aldi, Costco, and others.
YMCA — Reduced Membership Rates
Many YMCA locations in Illinois offer reduced or sliding-scale membership rates for SNAP recipients and low-income households. Contact your nearest Illinois YMCA to ask about income-based membership pricing and current discount levels.
Illinois Holocaust Museum (Skokie)
The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie offers free admission to all visitors on the last Friday of every month, and has its own EBT discount program for LINK cardholders through Museums for All. Note: The Illinois Holocaust Museum is temporarily closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in summer 2026. Confirm current status before visiting at ilholocaustmuseum.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discounts can I get with an Illinois LINK card?
Illinois LINK cardholders can access free general admission at the Art Institute of Chicago (including all special exhibitions) and Lincoln Park Zoo; free admission for up to 4 at Shedd Aquarium and Brookfield Zoo; free admission for up to 2 adults and 6 children at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry; $1 per person at the Adler Planetarium (with one sky show); $3 per person at the Field Museum for up to 6 people; and discounted or free admission at more than 40 additional Illinois museums and cultural venues. Your LINK card also qualifies you for half-price Amazon Prime ($6.99/month), a $5 annual Divvy bike share membership, dollar-for-dollar produce matching through Link Up Illinois at participating farmers markets, Lifeline phone discounts, Summer EBT ($120 per eligible child), free school meals, and energy assistance through LIHEAP.
Is the Art Institute of Chicago free with an EBT card?
Yes. The Art Institute of Chicago offers free general admission every day to Illinois LINK cardholders, WIC cardholders, and anyone in their households. This includes all ticketed special exhibitions — one of the most generous EBT admission policies at any major art museum in the country. Simply present your LINK card and a valid photo ID at the admissions desk. No advance reservation is required for LINK cardholders.
How do I get into the Shedd Aquarium with an EBT card?
Present your LINK or WIC card at the Shedd to receive free admission for up to four people. Advance reservations are strongly recommended as tickets sell out quickly. Online reservations carry a $5 convenience fee per order — avoid that fee by calling 312-939-2438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Free walk-up reservations are available but typically sell out early in the day. Any state’s EBT card is accepted.
Can I get into the Adler Planetarium with an EBT card?
Yes. The Adler Planetarium charges $1 per person for up to six people with a LINK or WIC card. Each person’s admission includes one sky show. Adding an additional sky show costs $3 per guest. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Adler box office — online purchase is not available for the Museums for All rate. P-EBT cards do not qualify.
What is Link Up Illinois?
Link Up Illinois is Illinois’s produce incentive program, operated by the Experimental Station. When you use your Illinois LINK card at a participating farmers market, you receive a dollar-for-dollar match in Link Match Vouchers to spend on fresh local fruits and vegetables. Most markets match up to $25 per swipe with unlimited swipes per visit. Link Match Vouchers do not expire. Find participating locations at experimentalstation.org. Illinois does not participate in the national Double Up Food Bucks network — Link Up Illinois is the state’s equivalent program.
What is Divvy for Everyone and how do I apply?
Divvy for Everyone (D4E) is a discounted Divvy bike share membership available to low-income residents of Chicago and Evanston for $5 per year, compared to the standard $143 annual rate. SNAP enrollment is a primary qualifying credential. A $5 annual membership provides unlimited 45-minute Divvy rides. Apply at divvybikes.com/pricing/d4e or contact a participating community organization for in-person assistance.
How do I get Amazon Prime at half price with my Illinois LINK card?
Sign up at Amazon’s SNAP discount page and upload a photo of your Illinois LINK card or a recent benefit letter to verify SNAP enrollment. The discounted rate is $6.99 per month. A credit or debit card is required as a backup payment method. A free 30-day trial is available for first-time Prime members. The $6.99 monthly fee cannot be charged to your LINK card balance.
Can I use an out-of-state EBT card at Chicago museums?
Yes. Chicago’s major Museums for All participants — including the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Griffin MSI, Adler Planetarium, Brookfield Zoo, and most other Illinois venues — accept EBT cards from any state. The Art Institute of Chicago extends free admission to LINK and WIC cardholders from any state as well. You do not need to be an Illinois resident to use these discounts.
Bottom Line
Illinois has one of the deepest and most concentrated EBT museum discount programs in the United States. The Art Institute of Chicago’s policy — free admission for the cardholder’s entire household, including all special exhibitions — is among the most generous offered anywhere in the country. The Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Griffin MSI round out a Museum Campus experience that costs as little as $1 per person with your LINK card.
Half-price Amazon Prime is available immediately to any Illinois LINK cardholder. Sign up here to start saving on shipping and groceries right away.
For the full list of stores that accept your Illinois LINK card for groceries, see our guide to grocery stores that take EBT. To see everything SNAP covers beyond the basics, check our guide on surprising things you can buy with EBT. And to find out how much in Food Stamps you may qualify for, use our SNAP Eligibility Calculator.
Last updated: 2026 | Discount programs, admission rates, and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Verify current details with each venue or program before visiting. Illinois SNAP (Food Stamps) is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Illinois LINK card support: 1-800-678-LINK (5465).