№ 04 · May 2026
beaconcover
Independent comparison desk
State regulatory desk

Small-business cover in Illinois.

In Illinois, workers’ comp is required at Required for all employers with one or more employees (including part-time workers), from the first day of hire[S]Illinois workers' compensation threshold. Workers' compensation is mandatory for essentially all employers from the first employee under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act. Sole proprietors, partners, corporate officers, and LLC members may elect to exempt themselves but must still cover their employees. Roofing contractors require a state license. Regulated by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

Updated 2026-05-16 · Beaconcover editorial
§ 01
Workers' comp

What Illinois requires.

IL threshold

Required for all employers with one or more employees (including part-time workers), from the first day of hire[C]Illinois workers' compensation threshold

Workers' compensation is mandatory for essentially all employers from the first employee under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act. Sole proprietors, partners, corporate officers, and LLC members may elect to exempt themselves but must still cover their employees. Roofing contractors require a state license. Regulated by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

§ 02
Licensing & bonding

State licensing notes.

  • Illinois licenses roofing contractors at the state level
  • Chicago adds municipal licensing for several trades
§ 03
Illinois by trade

One page per trade × state.