Step By Step Guide
This guide will inform you of various legal requirements and direct you to additional resources. If you have any questions contact the Business Information Center at 800-252-2923 or TDD: 800-785-6055 and a staff member will assist you.
1. Where Do I Start?
2. What ownership structure choices do I have?
3. Where do I register a business?
4. What are my responsibilities as an employer?
5. How do I protect my invention, product or idea?
6. Where can I go for help?
4. What are my responsibilities as an employer?
Unemployment Insurance
Typically a business is required to make unemployment insurance contributions to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) if they have: 1) employed one or more workers in each of 20 or more calendar weeks; or 2) paid at least $1,500 in total wages during the calendar quarter. IDES offers a New Employer Packet. To request this packet, contact:
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is the main licensing agency for the State of Illinois. IDFPR provides an on-line database listing every individual licensed with their agency.
Visit the IDFPR web site and click on "License Look-up" to learn if an individual is licensed in a certain profession or determine if a licensed number is valid.
For other business/professional licensing questions contact us at: ienconnect@mailmw.custhelp.com
Anti-Discrimination Laws
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for the enforcement of all anti-discrimination laws. These laws include: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Equal Pay Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991. Business owners should acquaint themselves with these laws because they affect the company's hiring practices. To order information on these laws, contact:
- EEOC Publications Office
PO Box 12549
Cincinnati, Ohio 45212
1-800-669-3362
Fax: 513/489-8692
TDD: 1-800-800-3302
Material Orders Only TDD: 1-800-669-6820
http://eeoc.gov/employers/index.cfm
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Under the Workers' Compensation and Workers' Occupational Diseases Acts, an employer is required to provide insurance for accidental deaths, injuries and occupational diseases of employees arising in the course of employment. Temporary workers who normally do not receive company benefits are still provided workers' compensation. Insurance generally is purchased through private companies. Companies can apply to the Workers' Compensation Commission to become self-insured. For a free handbook, contact:
Employment Service/Labor Market Information
The Illinois Department of Employment Security can assist you with finding new employees. Find out about labor market conditions and industry projections.
Wage Withholding for Child Support
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is the Child Support Enforcement Agency for the State of Illinois. If you (as an employer) are served a Notice of Withholding, you are required by law to withhold a portion of an employee's income for payment of child support. For a copy of "Ensuring A Child's Birthright: An Illinois Employer's Guide To Income Withholding", contact:
Immigration Reform and Control
The Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires every employer to keep on file a form for every employee certifying that employee's identity and work eligibility. For further Information contact:
Required Posters for Illinois Employers
The Illinois Department of Labor's website has a listing of State and Federal posters employers are required to display in the workplace. Visit their website at http://www.state.il.us/agency/idol/Posters/poster.htm for details on how to obtain each poster.