Illinois prompt payment

Prompt Payment in Illinois — Sources checked

Who and what this applies to

Private contracts within 815 ILCS 603/5: excludes public-fund contracts, single-family residences and multiple-family residences with 12 or fewer units in one building.

The rules

  • For contract-compliant work and an approved payment application, the owner must pay within 15 calendar days after approval. Approval is deemed after 25 days from receipt unless the owner supplies a timely written withheld amount and reason. Source
  • For contract-compliant, accepted subcontract work, each contractor/subcontractor must pass through the corresponding payment, including final payment and retainage, within 15 calendar days of receipt. Source

Primary sources

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

Not legal advice. This is general legal information. Laws and project facts differ; confirm the applicable requirements for your project.

Back to Illinois contractor law · Prompt Payment topic guide.

Related tools and support

Visit GC Experts for contractor business support. FedTrakker currently leads to the GC Experts site. For project-specific legal advice, find counsel.

Explore the $29 state packs and included templates.