STATE LICENSE
NoneSee what applies
No Illinois statute licenses framers or carpenters. Framing on residential remodels and additions is home repair under the Home Repair and Remodeling Act, which brings statutory liability insurance, a written contract over $1,000, and the consumer rights pamphlet.
In Chicago, framing is a regulated activity requiring a building permit, so it must be done by — or under the supervision and control of — a licensed general contractor. A framing sub working under the GC needs no separate license, but a framer who contracts directly with an owner must hold its own GC license and be listed on the permit.
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
No state license; Chicago channels framing through its general contractor license, and other municipalities regulate through building permits and inspections.
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every Illinois county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
Working under the supervision and control of a licensed GC needs no license; contracting directly with the owner does.
Erecting, remodeling, or altering any structure is listed as extra-hazardous — workers' comp applies automatically.
The Home Repair Act covers repair and remodeling, not original construction of new residences.
A practical sequence for a new framing contractor in Illinois. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Knowingly failing to insure is a Class 4 felony for owners and officers; civil penalties of up to $500/day ($10,000 minimum).
Any violation is a Consumer Fraud Act violation.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.