IL · Retail · 50 codes

Retail workers compensation in Illinois

Retail businesses in Illinois pay a median rate of $2.11 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.051 to $6.78. The national median for Retail is $1.26, so Illinois sits 67% above the national average. 50 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Retail occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.

Median in IL $2.11
Vs national +67%
Codes filed 50

Top Retail class codes in Illinois

The class codes most likely to apply to a Retail 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
8013 Jewelry Stores $0.233 HIGH
8008 Drug Stores $0.732 HIGH
8726 F Retail Salespersons $0.924 HIGH
8017 Store, retail NOC $1.15 HIGH
8031 Liquor Stores $1.63 HIGH
8006 Hardware Stores $1.76 HIGH
8039 Retail Hardware Store $1.76 HIGH
8001 Wholesale Stores - N.O.C. $1.89 HIGH
8032 Retail Clothing Store $1.90 HIGH
8102 Retail Store - Meat, Fish $2.09 HIGH

Illinois compliance for Retail employers

Coverage threshold

All employers with one or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.

1099 vs W-2 in Retail

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 Retail payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.

Cross-cite: full Illinois workers comp overview · Retail cross-state rate comparison · Illinois workers comp lawyer guide · Illinois settlement chart

Estimate your Retail premium in Illinois

Pre-filled to Retail 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 Retail in Illinois

$255to$33,900

Median: $10,568 · Rate range $0.051 to $6.78 per $100 payroll

Industry median across all states

$6,315

Cheapest states for Retail

  • Utah $0.480
  • Tennessee $0.780
  • Virginia $0.782

Most expensive

  • New Jersey $4.73
  • California $3.37
  • Pennsylvania $2.31

Estimate based on 24 states of rate-filing data. Actual premium also reflects experience modifier, schedule credits, and carrier underwriting.

Filing checklist for Retail businesses in Illinois

  1. Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold

    All employers with one or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance. For Retail operations, this typically applies once you make a first W-2 hire, even part-time.

  2. Step 2, Pick the right class code

    Retail businesses typically use codes like 8726, 1925, 2002. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. In Illinois, the cheapest code on this list is 8013 at $0.233 and the most expensive is 8102 at $2.09.

  3. Step 3, Get a quote

    Private carriers write Retail coverage in Illinois. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.

  4. Step 4, Document subcontractors

    General contractors are liable for the workers' compensation coverage of uninsured subcontractors. Retail operators with crews of 1099s should keep certificates of insurance for every sub, otherwise the GC absorbs the sub liability at audit.

  5. 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. Retail class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.

Penalty for non-coverage in Illinois: Fines up to $10,000 per day of non-compliance, potential imprisonment, and personal liability for all claim costs.

Retail workers comp FAQs in Illinois

What is the typical workers comp rate for Retail in Illinois?

Retail employers in Illinois pay a median rate of $2.11 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.051 to $6.78 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Retail is $1.26, so Illinois sits about 67% above the national average.

How many Retail class codes are filed in Illinois?

Illinois has 50 unique NCCI class codes filed for Retail occupations, drawn from 50 state-class code rate cells in our dataset. The most common codes include 8726 (Retail Salespersons), 1925 (Retail Bakery), 2002 (Retail Meat/Fish Dealer).

Are Retail 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 Retail 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. Retail workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.

How long does a Retail 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. Retail workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.

Can a Retail 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. Retail 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.

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