Tree work rules in Illinois
What the state says about tree work, with the page each rule comes from. It's a summary of the published rules, not legal advice, and your city or county can have rules of its own.
Checked September 26, 2026
Licensing
The Illinois Department of Agriculture licenses pesticide applicators but not tree care businesses.1
Tree removal permits
Ask your city or county government whether removing a tree needs a permit where you live.
Trees near power lines
If a tree is touching the power line to your house, keep clear and call your utility first. Clearing the line is the utility's job, and a tree company can't start until it's done.
In Illinois the federal OSHA rule is the one that applies: workers who aren't trained for line work keep 10 feet from lines up to 50,000 volts.2
811 and stump work
Illinois's one-call law doesn't name stump or root removal, and its definition of excavation doesn't mention trees or stumps. Illinois's one-call center says to contact it before removing a tree, though it doesn't name stump grinding.3-4
Spraying and treating trees
Applying general or restricted use pesticides for hire in Illinois needs a Commercial Applicator or Operator license in the Ornamental category. Turf is a separate category.5
Get quotes from companies in your county
One request instead of calling companies one at a time. We'll match you with a tree service near you. It's free, and you don't have to hire anyone.
Sources
What tree work costs in Illinois
Published national ranges for removal, trimming, stump grinding and arborist visits, and a planning estimate for your own job.
Companies in Illinois
Illinois has 659 tree service companies listed, and 101 of them hold an active USDOT registration. Browse them by county, or ask for quotes and we'll pass your job to companies near you.
Cite this page
“Tree work rules in Illinois.” InspecTree, updated September 26, 2026. https://inspectree.com/il/rules/