Construction workers compensation in Illinois
Construction businesses in Illinois pay a median rate of $5.01 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.602 to $17.01. The national median for Construction is $2.26, so Illinois sits 122% above the national average. 80 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Construction occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Construction class codes in Illinois
The class codes most likely to apply to a Construction operation in Illinois, sorted from cheapest to most expensive per $100 of payroll. Click into any code for the full state-by-state rate comparison.
| Code | Occupation | Rate per $100 | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5191 | Plumbing - Commercial/Industrial | $0.990 | HIGH |
| 4828 | Oil & Gas Pipeline Construction | $1.70 | HIGH |
| 4902 | Waterproofing Contractor | $2.75 | HIGH |
| 5192 | Plumbing - Residential/Domestic | $2.81 | HIGH |
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring | $2.85 | HIGH |
| 7335 M | Railroad - Construction/Maintenance | $2.92 | HIGH |
| 5183 | Plumbing | $3.09 | HIGH |
| 5160 | Elevator Erection or Repair | $3.18 | HIGH |
| 4024 | Concrete Construction | $3.42 | HIGH |
| 6252 | Shaft Sinking | $5.02 | HIGH |
Illinois compliance for Construction employers
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
1099 vs W-2 in Construction
Illinois uses a multi-factor test to determine if a 1099 contractor is an employee for workers' compensation purposes.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in Illinois. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$1,975 at 66.67% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-07-15.
Statute of limitations
3 years from injury date in Illinois.
Audit window
Illinois carriers audit payroll within 90 days of policy expiration. Keep Construction payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Cross-cite: full Illinois workers comp overview · Construction cross-state rate comparison · Illinois workers comp lawyer guide · Illinois settlement chart
Estimate your Construction premium in Illinois
Pre-filled to Construction and Illinois. Adjust payroll to see a real premium range from filed rates.
Estimate your workers comp premium
Pick your industry, state, and annual payroll. Range comes from real rate filings.
Estimated annual premium for Construction in Illinois
$3,010to$85,030
Median: $25,075 · Rate range $0.602 to $17.01 per $100 payroll
Industry median across all states
$11,300
Cheapest states for Construction
- Utah $0.780
- Washington $1.13
- Kansas $1.21
Most expensive
- New Jersey $6.95
- Illinois $5.01
- New York $4.84
Estimate based on 24 states of rate-filing data. Actual premium also reflects experience modifier, schedule credits, and carrier underwriting.
Filing checklist for Construction businesses in Illinois
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance. For Construction operations, this typically applies once you make a first W-2 hire, even part-time.
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Step 2, Pick the right class code
Construction businesses typically use codes like 7335, 6251, 6252. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. In Illinois, the cheapest code on this list is 5191 at $0.990 and the most expensive is 6252 at $5.02.
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Step 3, Get a quote
Private carriers write Construction coverage in Illinois. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Document subcontractors
General contractors are liable for the workers' compensation coverage of uninsured subcontractors. Construction operators with crews of 1099s should keep certificates of insurance for every sub, otherwise the GC absorbs the sub liability at audit.
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Step 5, Annual audit
Carriers audit payroll within 90 days of policy expiration. Have payroll segregated by class code, job descriptions on file, and overtime properly excluded from rated payroll. Construction class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.
Construction workers comp FAQs in Illinois
What is the typical workers comp rate for Construction in Illinois?
Construction employers in Illinois pay a median rate of $5.01 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.602 to $17.01 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Construction is $2.26, so Illinois sits about 122% above the national average.
How many Construction class codes are filed in Illinois?
Illinois has 80 unique NCCI class codes filed for Construction occupations, drawn from 83 state-class code rate cells in our dataset. The most common codes include 7335 (Railroad - Construction/Maintenance), 6251 (Tunneling), 6252 (Shaft Sinking).
Are Construction 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in Illinois?
Illinois uses a multi-factor test to determine if a 1099 contractor is an employee for workers' compensation purposes.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Construction worker in Illinois?
Illinois caps weekly workers comp benefits at $1,975 (effective 2025-07-15), calculated as 66.67% of the average weekly wage. Construction workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.
How long does a Construction worker have to file a comp claim in Illinois?
The statute of limitations in Illinois is 3 years from the date of injury. Most claims also require notice to the employer within 30 days. Construction workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.
Can a Construction business owner exclude themselves from comp coverage in Illinois?
Yes, Illinois allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to file an exclusion election. Construction owner-operators often elect out to keep premium below the minimum. Sole-proprietor self-coverage is not required, and LLC member self-coverage is not required.