This could also go under our “Penny Wise, Pound Foolish” series. To serve one Illinoisan in a state institution costs $162,107/year. The average cost/year to serve a person in their home community is $75,000/year, though the state only funds around $50,000 of that. In a dire budget situation, anyone, including the state, should put their money in the most cost-effective and quality places.