Who this applies to
Illinois does not license general contractors at the state level, and no statewide bond attaches to general building work. General, electrical and HVAC contractors are licensed by municipalities such as the City of Chicago, not by the State. Two trades do deal with a state agency, and each of them is bonded:
- Roofing contractors, licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The license class decides the bond. A limited license covers residential roofing only, 8 units or fewer, and carries a $10,000 bond [1]. An unlimited license covers residential and commercial roofing and carries a $25,000 bond [1].
- Plumbing contractors, registered by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Every registration and every renewal comes with a $20,000 surety or indemnification bond, or a letter of credit for the same amount [3].
What the rule says
The two bonds are fixed sums on agency forms, but they are built differently. The roofing bond, on IDFPR's forms BD-LRF and BD-URF [1], binds the surety to the State of Illinois and to the People of the State of Illinois under Section 3(2)(d) of the Roofing Industry Licensing Act, in an aggregate of $10,000 or $25,000 [1], however many years it stays in force and however many claims are made on it. The plumbing bond names IDPH as beneficiary, covers work performed under the Illinois Plumbing License Law, 225 ILCS 320, and has to be written on the IDPH form with an expiry of September 30 of the current year; a continuous bond is not accepted [3].
How to comply
Roofing. IDFPR's roofing page, idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/roof.html, is the starting point [2]. The application packet, form RF, holds both bond forms, and the same packet asks for form RF-INS (insurance) and a $125 application fee [1]. The bond form has to match the class applied for: BD-LRF goes with a limited application, BD-URF with an unlimited one.
Plumbing. IDPH's registration and renewal application rests on the Plumbing License Law and on Section 894.20 of the Plumbing Contractor Registration Code [3]. Alongside the bond or letter of credit, IDPH requires a certificate of insurance for $100,000 general liability, $300,000 bodily injury, $50,000 property damage and $500,000 workers' compensation [3]. Because the requirement covers renewals as well as first registrations, a bond goes in with each renewal application [3]. The same form asks registrants to file their renewed City of Chicago plumbing license within 15 days [3].
IDFPR and IDPH issue these forms, and the current edition from each agency is the one to confirm before filing.
Related
- Contractor license bond cost calculator, to estimate what a roofing or plumbing bond costs.
- All states' bond requirements, for comparison across the country.