Workers comp rates and rules in Illinois
Illinois has 562 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,993 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 3 years. Verified 2026-05-08.
Class code rate comparison
The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Illinois, sorted from cheapest to most expensive per $100 of payroll. Cross-state percentile shows where each code sits versus the same code in other states.
| State | Occupation | Code | Rate per $100 | vs peers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | - | Terrorism | $0.010 | - | view |
| Illinois | Hospice Care - All Other | 8871 | $0.022 | 37% | view |
| Illinois | Real Estate Clerical | 8803 | $0.025 | 36% | view |
| Illinois | Architects | 8603 | $0.046 | 60% | view |
| Illinois | Furniture Salespersons | 8723 | $0.051 | 39% | view |
| Illinois | College Other Employees | 8820 | $0.055 | 36% | view |
| Illinois | Hospice Care | 8855 | $0.068 | 50% | view |
| Illinois | Clerical office | 8810 | $0.079 | 50% | view |
| Illinois | Ambulance Service | 7402 | $0.092 | 53% | view |
| Illinois | Telemarketing Clerical | 8814 M | $0.096 | 38% | view |
| Illinois | Medical Office Clerical | 8805 M | $0.107 | 44% | view |
| Illinois | Clerical Telecommuter Employees | 8815 M | $0.151 | 44% | view |
| Illinois | Telephone/Telegraph Companies | 8901 | $0.162 | 95% | view |
| Illinois | Salesperson, outside | 8742 | $0.177 | 64% | view |
| Illinois | Jewelry Salespersons | 8721 | $0.179 | 53% | view |
| Illinois | Advertising Sales | 8755 | $0.205 | 67% | view |
| Illinois | Property Management NOC | 8737 M | $0.215 | 63% | view |
| Illinois | Jewelry Stores | 8013 | $0.233 | 73% | view |
| Illinois | Insurance Adjusters | 8734 M | $0.239 | 63% | view |
| Illinois | Consulting Engineers | 8601 | $0.251 | 86% | view |
| Illinois | College, non-faculty | 8868 | $0.271 | 64% | view |
| Illinois | Physician, non-surgical | 8832 | $0.290 | 81% | view |
| Illinois | Adult Day Care | 8856 | $0.336 | 65% | view |
| Illinois | Residential Property Management | 8738 M | $0.338 | 50% | view |
| Illinois | Barber, beauty parlor, hair stylist | 9586 | $0.365 | 82% | view |
| Illinois | Boat Livery | 7453 N | $0.388 | 80% | view |
| Illinois | RV Salespersons | 8748 | $0.395 | 68% | view |
| Illinois | Landscape Gardening | 0771 N | $0.412 | 88% | view |
| Illinois | Building Operation - Theaters | 9012 | $0.438 | 44% | view |
| Illinois | Drug Manufacturing | 4511 | $0.471 | 90% | view |
| Illinois | Glassware Manufacturing | 4109 | $0.505 | 89% | view |
| Illinois | Outside Sales - All Other | 8799 | $0.506 | 81% | view |
| Illinois | Interior Trim Installation | 5951 | $0.602 | 95% | view |
| Illinois | Railroad Shop Employees | 7421 | $0.609 | 82% | view |
| Illinois | Video Production | 4361 | $0.621 | 73% | view |
| Illinois | Aircraft Operation, Flying Crew | 0918 | $0.627 | 33% | view |
| Illinois | YMCA, YWCA, gym | 9063 | $0.630 | 86% | view |
| Illinois | Brass, Bronze, Copper Foundry | 3119 | $0.639 | 81% | view |
| Illinois | Storage Battery Manufacturing | 4692 | $0.665 | 86% | view |
| Illinois | Home Health Care - All Other | 8869 | $0.695 | 80% | view |
| Illinois | Flat Glass Manufacturing | 4740 | $0.697 | 60% | view |
| Illinois | Vessel Operations NOC | 7445 N | $0.718 | 94% | view |
| Illinois | Hospital, professional employees | 8833 | $0.718 | 85% | view |
| Illinois | Stevedoring Operations | 7431 N | $0.721 | 81% | view |
| Illinois | Retail Store - Shoe | 8072 | $0.721 | 100% | view |
| Illinois | Telecom Line Construction | 7610 | $0.728 | 100% | view |
| Illinois | Drug Stores | 8008 | $0.732 | 77% | view |
| Illinois | Glass Merchants | 4110 | $0.737 | 82% | view |
| Illinois | Meat & Seafood Stores | 8014 | $0.747 | - | view |
| Illinois | Electrical Wiring Devices Manufacturing | 3681 | $0.822 | 91% | view |
Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive) This state
Illinois coverage rules & benefits
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
Max weekly benefit
$1,993 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.
PPD weeks
255 weeks of permanent partial disability (whole-body schedule).
Death benefit
Up to $500,000 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.
Statute of limitations
3 years from injury date to file the claim.
1099 contractor treatment
Illinois uses a multi-factor test to determine if a 1099 contractor is an employee for workers' compensation purposes.
Owner exclusion
Allowed. Sole proprietor self-coverage: optional. LLC member self-coverage: optional.
Estimate your premium in Illinois
Pre-filled to Illinois. Pick your industry and 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 Manufacturing in Illinois
$2,355to$160,335
Median: $13,800 · Rate range $0.471 to $32.07 per $100 payroll
Industry median across all states
$7,300
Cheapest states for Manufacturing
- Utah $0.490
- Kentucky $0.940
- Virginia $0.950
Most expensive
- California $4.74
- New Jersey $3.56
- Hawaii $2.94
Estimate based on 24 states of rate-filing data. Actual premium also reflects experience modifier, schedule credits, and carrier underwriting.
Filing & compliance 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.
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Step 2, Determine class code
Your premium uses the NCCI class code that best matches your operation. The wrong class code can cost 4-10x more or get reclassified at audit.
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Step 3, Get a quote (or use the state fund)
Private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual write coverage in Illinois. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Track payroll & subcontractors
General contractors are liable for the workers' compensation coverage of uninsured subcontractors. Keep certificates of insurance for every sub.
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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.
Illinois workers comp FAQs
Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Illinois?
All employers with one or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Illinois?
The current maximum weekly benefit in Illinois is $1,993 (effective 2024). Benefits are typically 66.67% of the average weekly wage, capped at the state maximum.
How long do I have to file a workers comp claim in Illinois?
The statute of limitations for filing a workers compensation claim in Illinois is 3 years from the date of injury. Notice to the employer is typically required within 30 days.
Are 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.
Can business owners exclude themselves from workers comp coverage in Illinois?
Yes, Illinois allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to exclude themselves from coverage by filing the appropriate election form. Sole-proprietor self-coverage is not required; LLC member self-coverage is not required.
What is the penalty for not carrying workers comp in Illinois?
Fines up to $10,000 per day of non-compliance, potential imprisonment, and personal liability for all claim costs.
When does my workers comp carrier audit my payroll in Illinois?
Illinois typically requires a payroll audit within 90 days of policy expiration. Final premium is reconciled to actual payroll, and class code allocation can shift based on the audit findings. Keep payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Am I liable for subcontractors' workers comp in Illinois?
General contractors are liable for the workers' compensation coverage of uninsured subcontractors.