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Illinois - 2026 Contractor License Requirements
Official Illinois contractor license lookup information, agency details, and homeowner notes for verifying a contractor before hiring.
Official agency
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Illinois is not a single statewide GC-license state; use state lookup for regulated trades and check local contractor licensing.
Visit official lookupAbout Illinois contractor licensing
Illinois is not a one-board statewide contractor state. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is the official state source for regulated trades, but broad general contractor requirements often depend on the municipality, with Chicago and some suburbs using their own local systems. Homeowners need to verify both layers when relevant.
How licensing works in Illinois
In Illinois, statewide verification usually applies to specific professional trades and occupations, while general contractor oversight is often local. Chicago maintains its own contractor licensing structure, and other municipalities may require registration, bonding, or local approval. That means a contractor can be legitimate in one city and not fully cleared to work in another. For homeowners, the practical workflow is to check state-regulated trades first and then confirm the exact local rules where the project sits.
What to verify in Illinois
Use IDFPR's lookup for any state-regulated trade involved in the project, such as plumbing or electrical work. Then contact or search the city or village building department for the property address to confirm whether a local general contractor license or registration is required. Look for active status, exact legal name, and any discipline or expiration information. In Chicago, use the city's licensing system rather than assuming a suburban credential transfers automatically.
State-specific tips
- › For Chicago projects, start with Chicago's own contractor rules before relying on any statewide explanation from the bidder.
- › If the home is in a collar suburb, verify that suburb specifically; municipal requirements vary more than many contractors admit.
- › Ask who is pulling the permit and under what credential, then confirm that exact entity with the local building department.
- › For multi-trade remodeling, verify IDFPR records for the licensed trades even if the GC itself is locally licensed.
- › Keep the property address handy during verification because Illinois contractor requirements often change by municipality, not just by state law.
Free template
Illinois Contractor Agreement Template
Download a free homeowner-contractor agreement template built for Illinois law.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Illinois require general contractors to be licensed statewide?
- No. Illinois has no statewide general contractor license. The Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act (815 ILCS 513) governs home improvement contracts and consumer protections, but it does not create a licensing requirement. Chicago has its own contractor licensing program through the Chicago Department of Buildings (chicago.gov/buildings), and many other Illinois municipalities have local requirements. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses specialty trades but not general contractors.
- How do I verify a contractor is legitimate in Illinois without a state license to check?
- Confirm the contractor is registered with the Illinois Secretary of State at ilsos.gov. Ask whether they have pulled permits on comparable local projects — a legitimate contractor will have a permit history with your local building department. Request current certificates of general liability insurance and workers' compensation, and verify both directly with the insurers. Check the Better Business Bureau and IDFPR (idfpr.illinois.gov) to confirm any specialty trade licenses are active.
- Are specialty trade contractors licensed in Illinois?
- Yes. Electrical contractors are licensed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) under 225 ILCS 320, and plumbing contractors are licensed through IDFPR under 225 ILCS 320 as well. Roofing contractors in Illinois must also be licensed through IDFPR under 225 ILCS 335. Verify all specialty trade licenses at idfpr.illinois.gov. Note that Chicago electrical licensing is separate from IDFPR — verify Chicago electrical contractors through chicago.gov/buildings.
- Does Illinois have a home improvement contract law?
- Yes. The Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act (815 ILCS 513/5 et seq.) requires contractors to provide a written contract for home repair or remodeling work exceeding $1,000. The contract must include the contractor's name and address, a description of the work, the total price, and a start and completion date. Homeowners have the right to cancel the contract within three business days of signing under 815 ILCS 513/20 — this right must be disclosed in the contract.
- Does my city or county require contractors to be licensed in Illinois?
- Many do. Chicago requires a general contractor license through the Chicago Department of Buildings at chicago.gov/buildings — this is one of the more comprehensive local programs in the state. Naperville, Rockford, Aurora, and most other Illinois cities also have local contractor licensing or registration requirements. Always check with your local building department before hiring, as a contractor licensed in Chicago is not necessarily licensed or registered in the suburbs or downstate.
- What insurance should I require from a contractor in Illinois?
- Require general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. Illinois requires workers' compensation for all employers with one or more employees under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305). Illinois has strict workers' comp enforcement — if a contractor's uninsured employee is injured on your property, you may face liability. Request current certificates of insurance and verify coverage is in force directly with the issuing insurers before any work begins.
- Is a written contract required for home improvement work in Illinois?
- Yes. Under the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act (815 ILCS 513/20), contractors must provide a written contract for any home repair or remodeling work exceeding $1,000. The contract must describe the work, list the total price and payment schedule, and include a three-business-day cancellation notice. Failure to provide the required written contract is a violation of the Act and may allow the homeowner to void the contract.
- What recourse do I have if a contractor does poor work or abandons my project in Illinois?
- File a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (815 ILCS 505/2) at illinoisattorneygeneral.gov. The AG can seek civil penalties and restitution. Illinois also has the Home Repair Fraud Act (720 ILCS 5/17-1(B)), which makes contractor fraud a criminal offense — contact local law enforcement if the contractor took payment and abandoned the project. Civil claims up to $10,000 can be filed in small claims court.
- Where do I find contractor requirements for my city or county in Illinois?
- Chicago's contractor licensing information is at chicago.gov/buildings. For other municipalities, contact your local building department directly — Illinois has over 1,200 municipalities with their own codes and requirements. The Illinois Municipal League (iml.org) can help locate your local government. For unincorporated areas, contact your county's building and zoning department.
- How do mechanic's liens work in Illinois and how can I protect myself?
- Under the Illinois Mechanic's Lien Act (770 ILCS 60/1 et seq.), a contractor, subcontractor, or material supplier who is not paid can file a lien against your property within four months of completing work. Illinois lien law is strict — a sub or supplier the GC failed to pay can force a lien on your home even if you paid the GC in full. Protect yourself by requiring signed lien waivers from the general contractor and all major subcontractors at each payment, and withhold final payment until all lien waivers are delivered.
- Does Illinois have a contractor fraud law?
- Yes. The Illinois Home Repair Fraud Act (720 ILCS 5/17-1(B)) makes it a criminal offense — ranging from a Class 4 felony to a Class X felony depending on the amount involved — for a contractor to accept payment for home repair services with intent to defraud or knowingly misrepresent material facts. If a contractor takes a deposit and disappears or knowingly does substandard work, this statute applies. Report suspected home repair fraud to your local state's attorney or the Illinois AG's office.
- What is my right to cancel a home improvement contract in Illinois?
- Under the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act (815 ILCS 513/20), homeowners have the right to cancel a home improvement contract within three business days of signing it, without penalty. The contractor must provide written notice of this cancellation right at the time of signing. To exercise the right, send written cancellation notice to the contractor by certified mail or personal delivery within the three-day window. Any deposit paid must be refunded within ten business days of cancellation.