NordVPN has servers in Illinois via its Chicago server to grant users an IP address in the state. The VPN service provider maintains 150+ Chicago servers, ensuring this in-demand server can be clicked by multiple users without fear of overcrowding, bandwidth throttling, server lags, or random VPN server connection drops.
On top of that, NordVPN provides specialty servers in Illinois and supports this server with multiple protocols.
Learn how to connect to NordVPN’s Illinois servers and discover how fast these servers are below.
How to Connect to NordVPN’s Illinois Server?
You can connect to NordVPN’s Illinois server in less than 12 steps.
Here’s a breakdown to follow:
- Go to the NordVPN website to get a subscription. Grab these NordVPN discount offers to save on your first purchase.
- Click “Get NordVPN.”
- Select any of the price plans. I recommend the 2-year standard VPN plan.
- Enter your email address, choose a payment method, and complete the payment process.
- Visit the NordVPN download page to get its PC apps. Alternatively, visit your mobile app store for its smartphone apps.
- Launch the VPN app, and log in with your account credentials (email and password).
- Click the dropdown menu icon, then search for “Chicago.” This is the only Illinois server location on NordVPN.
- Click the server when it shows up.
- Wait for the connection confirmation.
- Test for leaks to ensure you’re browsing with an Illinois IP address. I use www.ipleak.net.
- Enjoy your local content on the Chicago server, connect to Illinois gaming peers, or safely use the public Wi-Fi at Jupiters in Champaign or anywhere else in Illinois.
Does NordVPN Have Specialty Servers in Illinois?
NordVPN has specialty P2P and obfuscated servers in Illinois for users who want more than the standard VPN servers.
Digging deeper, the VPN service provider boasts 150+ Chicago P2P servers optimized for gaming, faster secure torrenting, and seamless content streaming.
On the other business end, it also packs 2 obfuscated Illinois servers to bypass VPN traffic blocks or evade firewalls on some restrictive networks.
Here’s a general guide to connecting to the NordVPN specialty servers in Illinois:
- Got a NordVPN account? Save more with these HUGE deals.
- Follow steps 2-6 above.
- Click the dropdown menu icon.
- Toggle “Specialty servers,” then hover on “P2P” or “Obfuscated servers.”
- Click the three dots icon in front of the specialty server.
- Click the dropdown menu (currently in “Fastest server”) in front of “Country” to open the locations.
- Search for “United States” and click the location.
- Repeat step 6 for “City.” This time, search for “Chicago” and click the server.
- Click “Connect” to get the server.
However, NordVPN will automatically switch protocols on your behalf if you click the obfuscated Illinois server before manually changing the protocol.
How Fast Is the NordVPN Illinois Server?
I tested the NordVPN Illinois server across its active protocols (NordLynx and OpenVPN) to discover how fast it is.
I started with my basic speed test to get a benchmark, revealing my network speed was 52Mbps.
Next, I connected to the Illinois (Chicago) server over the NordLynx protocol to re-run the speed test. This time, I got 35Mbps, a 32.6% speed drop.
This was still negligible and higher than the required speeds for 4K streaming.
However, the Illinois obfuscated servers wouldn’t even connect.
I switched between the UDP and TCP protocols, but these servers still wouldn’t connect.
This might be because NordVPN only has two of these obfuscated Illinois servers. Thus, they’re prone to server overcrowding and reliability issues without alternatives to connect.
Even at that, obfuscated servers are usually slower than the NordLynx protocol.
Hence, the NordVPN NordLynx protocol is the best for the Illinois server, guaranteeing minimal speed drops and reliable connection without sacrificing your online security.
Get Your Illinois IP Today
You can get an Illinois IP address to reduce ping while playing against P2P gamers, access local content like WGN TV/WILL-TV/NBC 5 News anywhere, or for other reasons.
And knowing that there are 150+ servers to choose from, you’re guaranteed a low-load Illinois server whenever you connect. That way, you don’t have to trade speed or reliability for security.
Grab these NordVPN deals to save on your subscription, then follow the guides above to get the Illinois IP address.
