| Year: | 1942 |
| Team: | Illinois Fighting Illini |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Record: | 6–4 |
| Conf Record: | 3–2 |
| Head Coach: | Ray Eliot |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Mvp: | Elmer Engel |
| Captain: | Jimmy Smith |
| Stadium: | Memorial Stadium |
The 1942 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois during the 1942 Big Ten Conference football season. In their first season under head coach Ray Eliot, the Illini compiled a 6–4 record and finished in a tie for third place in the Big Ten Conference.[1] End Elmer Engel was selected as the team's most valuable player.[2]
Illinois was ranked at No. 11 (out of 590 college and military teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1942.[3]
See also: 1942 NCAA football rankings.