<p>Chronic wound infections, especially those involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria, pose a serious clinical challenge and demand the development of advanced wound dressings that not only offer strong antimicrobial properties but also promote effective wound healing. In this study, we present the development of innovative carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels crosslinked with methacrylated bio-ionic liquids using a photo-induced crosslinking method. The hydrogels were designed by methacrylating O-carboxymethyl chitosan, followed by crosslinking with a series of biocompatible, anion-exchanged choline-based ionic liquids. FTIR and NMR analyses confirmed the successful functionalization and effective crosslinking of the hydrogel structure. All modified polymers were further analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess their crystallinity, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to evaluate thermal stability, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine surface morphology. Antibacterial assays revealed superior activity, with choline benzoate derivatives outperforming gentamicin against <i>E. coli</i>. Cytocompatibility assessments demonstrated that O-carboxymethyl chitosan coupled with choline acetate (CMCh-Ac) and O-carboxymethyl chitosan coupled with choline propionate (CMCh-Prop) maintained approximately 90% cell viability in normal cells. In contrast, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMCh) and O-carboxymethyl chitosan coupled with choline succinate (CMCh-Su) displayed potent anticancer activity by markedly decreasing the viability of HEPG-2 cancer cells. In vivo, wound contraction reached 100% by day 8 for treated groups vs. 47.1% in controls, highlighting excellent healing potential. These findings underscore the dual functionality of the synthesized hydrogels as potent antibacterial agents and enhancers of tissue regeneration, offering a promising platform for advanced wound care against complex, drug-resistant infections.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>