How much does workers' comp pay in Illinois?
- Illinois TTD generally pays two-thirds of average weekly wages.
- Scheduled and person-as-a-whole PPD generally use 60% of average weekly wages with separate PPD limits.
- TTD limits change semiannually; the PPD maximum follows its own effective dates.
- Use the rate for the injury date and award type.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate Illinois ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$800.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
Illinois permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- For injuries on or after September 1, 2011, Illinois does not award money from the AMA impairment rating alone.
- The decision also considers occupation, age, future earning capacity and medical evidence.
- A determined disability percentage is applied to the applicable schedule or 500-week person-as-a-whole basis at the PPD rate.
- Wage-differential and disfigurement awards use different methods.
Medical impairment, legal disability and loss of earning capacity are different measurements. Use the established award category and applicable rate before doing dollar arithmetic. Do not borrow a rating from Social Security, the VA or another state.
| Award basis | Full-loss / full-person weeks | 10% at $720 PPD rate |
|---|---|---|
| Person as a whole (§8(d)(2)) | 500 | $36,000.00 |
| Arm (current schedule) | 253 | $18,216.00 |
| Leg (current schedule) | 215 | $15,480.00 |
| Hand (current schedule) | 205 | $14,760.00 |
| Foot (current schedule) | 167 | $12,024.00 |
How to evaluate an Illinois settlement
- An IWCC settlement contract requires Commission approval.
- A settlement can release future medical and other rights, while an award after hearing can leave different rights available.
- Review the actual contract, unpaid benefits and treatment exposure before comparing gross offers.
- Check the wage worksheet, award classification, rating evidence and unpaid benefits.
- Identify exactly which medical conditions, future treatment and wage-loss rights are released.
- Separate gross value from prior payments, approved fees, liens and other adjustments.
- Review Medicare and Social Security coordination when relevant; a medical allocation is not an automatic settlement multiplier.
Illinois workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official Illinois sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 15 – December 31, 2026 | $2,045.63 | $400.00 base; dependents affect minimum |
| January 15 – July 14, 2026 | $2,008.60 | $400.00 base; dependents affect minimum |
| January 1 – 14, 2026 | $1,974.73 | $400.00 base; dependents affect minimum |
Ordinary PPD generally uses 60% AWW. The published ordinary-PPD maximum for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 injuries is $1,084.66; a subsequent ordinary-PPD cap was not verified in the reviewed official table. Amputation/enucleation uses a different maximum. Enter a confirmed PPD rate rather than borrowing the TTD cap.
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Generally notify the employer within 45 days and file with the Commission within three years of the accident or two years after the last compensation payment, whichever is later.
- Occupational diseases and exceptions can change these deadlines.
Illinois benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in Illinois?+
Illinois TTD generally pays two-thirds of average weekly wages. Scheduled and person-as-a-whole PPD generally use 60% of average weekly wages with separate PPD limits. TTD limits change semiannually; the PPD maximum follows its own effective dates. Use the rate for the injury date and award type.
How do permanent disability benefits work in Illinois?+
For injuries on or after September 1, 2011, Illinois does not award money from the AMA impairment rating alone. The decision also considers occupation, age, future earning capacity and medical evidence. A determined disability percentage is applied to the applicable schedule or 500-week person-as-a-whole basis at the PPD rate. Wage-differential and disfigurement awards use different methods.
Can an Illinois settlement close future medical care?+
An IWCC settlement contract requires Commission approval. A settlement can release future medical and other rights, while an award after hearing can leave different rights available. Review the actual contract, unpaid benefits and treatment exposure before comparing gross offers.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in Illinois?+
Generally notify the employer within 45 days and file with the Commission within three years of the accident or two years after the last compensation payment, whichever is later. Occupational diseases and exceptions can change these deadlines.
Is my Illinois AMA rating the payable disability percentage?+
No. The AMA impairment report is one of five factors used to assess permanent disability. An arbitrator's determined disability percentage or agreed settlement percentage can differ. Enter a confirmed legal award percentage, not an unadjusted medical rating.
Does Illinois PPD pay the TTD rate?+
No. Scheduled and person-as-a-whole PPD generally use 60% of average weekly wages, with PPD-specific minimum and maximum rules. TTD generally uses two-thirds. A generic calculator using the TTD rate can overstate PPD.
What is an Illinois wage-differential award?+
A qualifying wage-differential award compensates reduced earning capacity using a different statutory formula and duration. It is not a body-part percentage times scheduled weeks, so this scheduled-award illustration does not value it.
Does surgery guarantee a larger Illinois settlement?+
No. Surgery can change treatment costs, restrictions and medical evidence, but there is no automatic surgery multiplier. Permanent disability must be established under the applicable rules. Compare the benefits released and future care needs, not just the procedure name.
Are Illinois workers' comp benefits taxable?+
Benefits paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or illness are generally excluded from federal income tax. Returned-to-work wages, retirement payments and Social Security offsets can have different tax treatment. Review IRS Publication 525 and seek tax advice for the agreement's allocations.
Can I receive pain and suffering through Illinois workers' comp?+
Workers' compensation generally does not award pain and suffering. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but employer immunity and reimbursement rights need separate legal review.
When should I compare an Illinois settlement offer?+
Compare an offer after understanding the wage calculation, medical condition, permanent-award category, unpaid benefits and rights released. There is no guaranteed settlement timeline. A bigger lump sum may be worse if it transfers expensive future treatment to you.
Where can I verify my Illinois benefit rate?+
Use the official agency resources linked on this page and the written rate calculation in your claim. Injury date, benefit category, wage records and applicable limits matter. An entered rate is not independently verified by this calculator.
These calculations are estimates based on your inputs and general workers' compensation formulas. Actual benefits depend on state law, your specific injury, employer insurance carrier, and other factors. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for guidance specific to your claim.