I was wondering how much elder care lawyers cost? Can you get assistance from the ARDC or the department of aging in your county?

I was just worried that if my fil pays some rent and we have to declare it

Staff, it seems like you are looking to set up a caregiving contract with your FIL, correct? Call several different attorney's offices and ask what the charge for that would be. It should come out of FIL's funds, I would think.

I think any attorney fees would come from you. No agency or program will pay or provide any help paying an attorney. Legal Aid is for criminals that do not have money to defend themselves.
Lawyers are costly but @ times are needed & worth the money spent. State & Federal Laws can be complicated for layman to understand. 

An elder care lawyer's legal services and fees could cost $8,000+ in VA.

Staff, legal fees vary, depending on the attorney, length of experience, and type of practice as well as advice and complexity of work to be performed.

Some elder law attorneys offer lump sum rates, such as if they're preparing an estate plan. Others charge by the hour. Rates are dependent as well on the attorney's experience, whether he or she is in a single practice, small or large firm. And they vary by area. In my experience, the big city law firms (200 or so + attorneys) have higher rates than one attorney practicing in a smaller or rural area.

On the other hand, I'm aware of a newly minted attorney brazenly charging what an experienced attorney would charge.

What would probably help is to list the issues you want to discuss, find some elder attorneys, contact them and ask about their rates.

However, your post is different from the title, so it seems as though you're also inquiring about reimbursement to you pending AL admission.    

Could you clarify your interests?   It would help posters respond.

Sorry it’s adrc aging and disability resource center

I'm not familiar with the ARDC so I googled it; it's Attorney Registration and Discipline Commission. I don't think that's the same entity as the Illinois State Bar, but it might be an adjunct of it. At any rate, I'm not sure it the agency you're looking for.

You can get recommendations typically through a local county bar association or the state bar association. You'll still have to contact attorneys, ask questions and find one with which you're comfortable.

You can also contact local senior centers; some have attorneys who offer limited free advice; in our area, they are available either weekly or biweekly.

I'm not really sure though what you're asking, in terms of funds. Are you asking how much he would need to pay for Assisted Living?

Call an elder law attorney or a few in your area for a free thirty minute phone consultation. Many attorneys offer this.