Illinois has two Goodwill outlet locations, both of them in the downstate city of Jacksonville. (Goodwill used to list more outlets in Illinois, but several closed over the past few years – for example, the Rockford outlet shut its doors back in 2021.) The Jacksonville Goodwill bins are still going strong though, and if you love that thrill of the hunt, they're fantastic places to dig for hidden treasures that others missed. Expect to rummage through large bins of completely unsorted items – clothes, household stuff, books, you name it – all priced by the pound. Whether you're after unique vintage finds or looking to flip items for some extra cash, it's definitely worth the effort. With more resellers and collectors showing up at these Goodwill outlet stores these days, arriving early is really wise. Bring gloves and a big shopping bag because carts tend to disappear fast when the competition heats up. If you walk out empty-handed on your first visit to the Goodwill bins, don't worry about it – the bins get restocked daily, giving you plenty of chances to build your thrifting skills and snag something valuable on your next trip.
