How do I check an Illinois contractor's license?

Illinois licenses specific trades — roofers and plumbers at the state level via IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation), and electrical via local jurisdictions. There is no statewide general contractor license. Search idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp for trade licenses. For Chicago work, also check the Department of Buildings General Contractor license. For everything else, check the city or county building department where your home is located.

Does Illinois require a general contractor license?

Not at the state level. The state of Illinois licenses roofers, plumbers, and a few other trades through IDFPR — not general residential contractors. Chicago does require a General Contractor license through the Department of Buildings, with separate classes by project value. Outside Chicago, suburban Cook County, the collar counties (DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry), and downstate cities each run their own systems. For senior projects, identify which licenses apply where the work happens.

What does Chicago require for a general contractor?

Chicago issues a General Contractor license through the Department of Buildings with four classes by project value (Class A through D, from large commercial down to small residential). For most residential remodeling on a senior home, Class C or D applies. The license requires a state-issued business registration, insurance, and a bond. Search the Chicago license database at chicago.gov or call 311. Hiring a contractor without a Chicago GC license for permitted residential work in the city is a code violation.

What about suburban Cook County and the collar counties?

Each suburban municipality runs its own contractor registration — Evanston, Oak Park, Naperville, Schaumburg, Skokie, and dozens of others maintain their own lists. Some counties (DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry) require county-level registration; others delegate to the village or city. Call your municipal building department and ask: "What contractor license or registration do I need to verify, and is one in good standing for [contractor name]?"

How do I check an Illinois roofer or plumber?

Both are state-licensed by IDFPR. Search idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp by license number, name, or business. Roofers must hold an Illinois Roofing License (the state has prosecuted unlicensed roofers aggressively post-storm). Plumbers must hold an Illinois Plumbing License. Both are required statewide regardless of city. For senior heat pump installs, check that the HVAC contractor is licensed at the local level (no statewide HVAC license in Illinois).

What contractor scams target Illinois seniors?

Post-storm roofers — Illinois is in the hail belt and storm-chaser roofers descend on Chicago suburbs and downstate after every major storm. The state IDFPR roofing license requirement is meant to deter this; verify it before hiring. Door-to-door pitches in senior neighborhoods are common — never hire from a door knock. Driveway sealing scams (charging seniors for low-quality "sealcoat") show up every spring and summer. Illinois Attorney General Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Hotline takes complaints and prosecutes aggressively.

How do I report a bad contractor in Illinois?

For IDFPR-licensed trades (roofers, plumbers), file at idfpr.com — the state can fine, suspend, or revoke the license. For Chicago contractors, complain to the Department of Buildings and Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. Statewide, the Illinois Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Bureau (and Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-243-5377) pursues home-repair fraud against seniors with enhanced statutory penalties under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Consumer Fraud Act.

Illinois Contractor License Lookup (IDFPR + Chicago) 2026

The short version: Illinois licenses roofers and plumbers at the state level via IDFPR (search idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp) but has no statewide general contractor license. Chicago issues its own General Contractor license through the Department of Buildings. Suburban Cook and the collar counties each run their own systems. For senior projects, verify the IDFPR trade license for any roofing/plumbing work, the Chicago GC license if applicable, and your local building department for everything else. Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Hotline: 1-800-243-5377.

Illinois: state trades + Chicago + everywhere-else

Illinois verification has three layers, each governed by a different body. The state of Illinois licenses specific trades through IDFPR. Chicago runs its own contractor system. Suburbs and downstate municipalities each have their own. For a senior homeowner planning a project, mapping which layer applies is step one.

This is the Illinois-specific companion to our national state contractor license lookup guide. For the master pre-hire workflow, see How to Find a Senior-Friendly Contractor.

Layer 1: IDFPR trade licenses (state level)

Illinois licenses two trades that matter to most senior projects:

Trade	License	Where to verify
Roofing	Illinois Roofing License	idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp
Plumbing	Illinois Plumbing License	idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp

The Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act has been aggressively enforced — the state pursues unlicensed roofers, especially after hail and storm events.² For a senior with a post-storm claim, verifying the IDFPR roofing license is the single most important pre-hire check.

For HVAC, electrical, and general remodeling — IDFPR does not license at the state level. Check Layers 2 or 3.

Layer 2: Chicago — Department of Buildings GC license

Chicago issues a General Contractor license through the Department of Buildings, with classes A through D by project value.³ For most residential remodeling on a senior home, Class C or D applies. Requirements include:

Illinois business registration
Commercial general liability insurance
A bond
An annual fee

To verify: call 311 or visit chicago.gov. Hiring a contractor without a Chicago GC license for permitted residential work in the city is a code violation — the homeowner can be cited.

Chicago also licenses electrical and HVAC trades at the city level. For any senior project in the city, verify ALL applicable licenses (state IDFPR for plumbing or roofing, plus Chicago city for GC, electrical, HVAC).

Layer 3: Suburbs and downstate — local registration

Outside Chicago, every municipality runs its own contractor system. Examples:

Evanston, Oak Park, Schaumburg, Skokie, Naperville, Aurora — each maintains its own list
DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry counties — some have county-level registration; others delegate to the village or city
Springfield, Peoria, Rockford, Champaign — each runs its own contractor licensing

The verification rule: call your local building department. Ask explicitly:

“What contractor license or registration is required for [project type] in [my address]?”
“Is [contractor name / business] currently in good standing?”
“What permits will be required, and who pulls them?”

Five minutes on the phone with the local building department is your verification.

Senior-specific notes for Illinois

Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Hotline: 1-800-243-5377. The Illinois Attorney General’s office operates this hotline specifically for senior consumer fraud — including home-improvement scams. Save it.⁴
Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Consumer Fraud Act enhances civil and criminal penalties for fraud against seniors. The AG actively prosecutes these cases.
Hail belt — Illinois is one of the country’s most active hail states. After any major hail event, expect storm-chaser roofers in senior neighborhoods. The IDFPR roofing license is meant to deter this; verify before signing.
Driveway sealing scam — every spring and summer, traveling crews target senior homeowners offering “discounted” driveway sealcoat. The work is shoddy and overpriced. Refuse door-to-door driveway sealing.

If something goes wrong

IDFPR-licensed trades (roofing, plumbing): file at idfpr.com — the state can fine, suspend, or revoke
Chicago contractors: complain to the Department of Buildings + Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
Statewide: Illinois AG Consumer Fraud Bureau or the Senior Citizens Hotline (1-800-243-5377)
Elder financial abuse: contact your Area Agency on Aging in addition to consumer complaints

Illinois verification in 30 seconds:

Roofing or plumbing → idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp (state-licensed; aggressively enforced)
Chicago → Department of Buildings GC license, classes A-D; call 311
Suburbs & downstate → call local building department
Verify insurance directly with carrier
Post-storm: never door-to-door roofers; never sign over insurance
Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Hotline: 1-800-243-5377

State Contractor License Lookup: All 50 States — the national hub
California Contractor License Lookup (CSLB)
Florida Contractor License Lookup (DBPR)
Texas Contractor License Lookup (TDLR)
New York Contractor License Lookup (HIC/DCWP)
Pennsylvania Contractor Registration (HICPA)
How to Find a Senior-Friendly Contractor — master pillar
Contractor Insurance & Bonding: What to Verify
Illinois Heat Pump Rebates 2026 — for IL senior HVAC projects

Citations

IDFPR License Look-Up. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, retrieved May 30, 2026. idfpr.com.

Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, retrieved May 30, 2026. idfpr.com/Roofing.

City of Chicago General Contractor License Information. City of Chicago Department of Buildings, retrieved May 30, 2026. chicago.gov/bldgs.

Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Hotline. Office of the Illinois Attorney General, retrieved May 30, 2026. illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.

Home Improvement Scams Targeting Older Adults. AARP Fraud Watch Network, June 2024. aarp.org/fraud-watch.