Illinois contractor resources
Washington's complete 86-topic contractor startup library floor, plus any additional trades expressly identified by Illinois official classifications. Published Contractor Lane guides link directly. Topics still being reviewed are labeled honestly.
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Guide in editorial review
Illinois Contractor Requirements at a Glance
Matched to 25 official sources below.
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How to Start a Contracting Business in Illinois
Matched to 25 official sources below.
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Your First 30 Days as a New Illinois Contractor
Matched to 27 official sources below.
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Cost to Start a Contracting Business in Illinois
Matched to 3 official sources below.
Business Setup
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How to Check Contractor Business Name Availability in Illinois
Matched to 4 official sources below.
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Sole Proprietor vs. LLC for Illinois Contractors
Matched to 4 official sources below.
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How to Form an LLC for a Contracting Business in Illinois
Matched to 4 official sources below.
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How to Get a State Business or Tax ID in Illinois
Matched to 5 official sources below.
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Illinois Business License and Permit Requirements for Contractors
Matched to 20 official sources below.
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How to Register a Contracting Company in Illinois
Matched to 23 official sources below.
Licensing and Protection
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How to Get a Contractor License or Registration in Illinois
Matched to 20 official sources below.
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Illinois Contractor License Lookup
Matched to 1 official source below.
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General vs. Specialty Contractor Rules in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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Handyman License and Exemption Rules in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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Illinois Contractor Bond Requirements Explained
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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General Liability Insurance Requirements for Illinois Contractors
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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Can You Get a Contractor License With Bad Credit in Illinois?
Matched to 0 official sources below.
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Advertising Without a Contractor License in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
Taxes and Compliance
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Illinois Business Tax and Bookkeeping Basics for New Contractors
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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Illinois Annual Report Due Date for Contractor Businesses
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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Illinois Employer Filing Deadlines for Contractors
Matched to 1 official source below.
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Illinois Sales and Business Tax Due Dates for Contractors
Matched to 2 official sources below.
Getting Paid
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What to Do When a Illinois Customer Does Not Pay
Matched to 1 official source below.
Trade-by-trade startup guides
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How to Start a Roofing Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Plumbing Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Electrical Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Hvac Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Painting Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Landscaping Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Concrete Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Drywall Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Siding Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Fencing Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Carpentry Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Masonry Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Flooring Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Tile Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Insulation Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Tree Service Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Demolition Company in Illinois
Matched to 3 official sources below.
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How to Start a Excavation Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Paving Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Fire Sprinkler Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Sewer Drain Company in Illinois
Matched to 3 official sources below.
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How to Start a Steel Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Sign Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Cabinet Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Countertop Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Pool Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Waterproofing Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Well Drilling Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Pest Control Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Glass Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Garage Door Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Septic Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Foundation Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Solar Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Home Inspection Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Manufactured Home Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Low Voltage Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Fire Alarm Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Security Alarm Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Elevator Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Awning Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Chimney Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Stucco Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Deck Building Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Window Door Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Gutter Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Handyman Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Pressure Washing Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Junk Removal Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Construction Cleaning Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Kitchen Bath Remodeling Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Remodeling Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Hardscape Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Irrigation Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Artificial Turf Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Epoxy Flooring Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Cabinet Refacing Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Basement Finishing Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Pole Building Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Sunroom Company in Illinois
Matched to 1 official source below.
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How to Start a Metal Building Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
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How to Start a Drain Cleaning Company in Illinois
Matched to 3 official sources below.
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How to Start a Water Heater Company in Illinois
Matched to 2 official sources below.
Official Illinois sources
These are the complete official URLs matched to this state’s resource library. Open the responsible agency before relying on a requirement, fee, deadline, or exemption.
- Illinois small-business startup guidancehttps://dceo.illinois.gov/smallbizassistance/beginhere.htmlSource ID: il-begin-here · direct coverage
- Illinois Secretary of State business serviceshttps://www.ilsos.gov/departments/business_services/home.htmlSource ID: il-business-formation · entry-point coverage
- Illinois Department of Revenue business resourceshttps://tax.illinois.gov/businesses.htmlSource ID: il-business-taxes · entry-point coverage
- Illinois unemployment insurance employer resourceshttps://ides.illinois.gov/employer-resources.htmlSource ID: il-employers · direct coverage
- Professions and Industries Regulated by IDFPR (complete list)https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/proflist.htmlSource ID: il-idfpr-proflist · direct coverage
- City of Chicago Trade License Information Center (Department of Buildings)https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/licenses/svcs/infocenter.htmlSource ID: il-chicago-trade-licenses · direct coverage
- IDPH Plumbing Program: plumber, apprentice, plumbing contractor and irrigation contractor licensinghttps://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/plumbing.htmlSource ID: il-idph-plumbing · direct coverage
- Illinois Plumbing License Law, 225 ILCS 320 (full text)https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=1343&ChapterID=24Source ID: il-ilga-plumbing-license-law · direct coverage
- Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 225 ILCS 335 (full text)https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=1346&ChapterID=24Source ID: il-ilga-roofing-act · direct coverage
- Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, 815 ILCS 513 (full text)https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=2359&ChapterID=67Source ID: il-ilga-home-repair-act · direct coverage
- Illinois Mechanics Lien Act, 770 ILCS 60 (full text)https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=2254&ChapterID=63Source ID: il-ilga-mechanics-lien-act · direct coverage
- Illinois LLC Act Sec. 50-1: annual report contents and due date (805 ILCS 180/50-1)https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/080501800K50-1.htmSource ID: il-ilga-llc-annual-report · direct coverage
- Illinois LLC Act Sec. 50-10: Secretary of State filing fee schedule (805 ILCS 180/50-10)https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/080501800K50-10.htmSource ID: il-ilga-llc-fees · direct coverage
- IDFPR Check a Licence: official Illinois professional licence lookuphttps://idfpr.illinois.gov/checklicense.htmlSource ID: il-idfpr-check-license · direct coverage
- Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal: Fire Sprinkler Contractor licensinghttps://sfm.illinois.gov/iam/business/fire-sprinkler-contractor-information.htmlSource ID: il-sfm-fire-sprinkler · direct coverage
- Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal: Elevator Safety Division licensinghttps://sfm.illinois.gov/about/divisions/elevators.htmlSource ID: il-sfm-elevator-safety · direct coverage
- IDPH Private Sewage Disposal: septic installation and pumping contractor licensinghttps://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/private-sewage-disposal.htmlSource ID: il-idph-private-sewage · direct coverage
- IDPH Private Water: water well and pump installation contractor licensinghttps://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/private-water.htmlSource ID: il-idph-private-water · direct coverage
- IDPH Structural Pest Control: business licence and technician certificationhttps://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control.htmlSource ID: il-idph-structural-pest-control · direct coverage
- IDPH Asbestos: abatement contractor, supervisor, inspector and project designer licensinghttps://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/asbestos.htmlSource ID: il-idph-asbestos · direct coverage
- IDPH Manufactured and Modular Homes: licensed manufactured home installershttps://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/manufactured-modular-homes-mobile-structures.htmlSource ID: il-idph-manufactured-homes · direct coverage
- Illinois Commerce Commission: Distributed Generation Installer certification (solar)https://icc.illinois.gov/authority/distributed-generation-installerSource ID: il-icc-dg-installer · direct coverage
- IDFPR Private Alarm Contractor and Private Alarm Contractor Agency licensinghttps://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/alarm.htmlSource ID: il-idfpr-alarm · direct coverage
- IDFPR Home Inspector and Home Inspector Entity licensinghttps://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/homeinspect.htmlSource ID: il-idfpr-home-inspection · direct coverage
- IDES Quarterly Filing Requirements for Illinois employers (UI-3/40)https://ides.illinois.gov/employer-resources/taxes-reporting/quarterly-filing-requirements.htmlSource ID: il-ides-quarterly-filing · direct coverage
- IDOR Retailers' Occupation Tax: Form ST-1 filing frequency and due dateshttps://tax.illinois.gov/research/taxinformation/sales/rot.htmlSource ID: il-idor-sales-tax-due-dates · direct coverage
General educational information. Rules, fees, and deadlines change, and local requirements may also apply. Contractor Lane is not a licensing agency, law firm, CPA, or insurance agency.