Your Complete Illinois Moving Checklist

Moving to Illinois, whether from another state or within the state, involves a long list of administrative tasks beyond the physical move itself. Miss a deadline for your driver's license, forget to get a Chicago city sticker, or overlook a utility transfer, and you could face fines, service interruptions, or unnecessary headaches.

This timeline-based checklist walks you through everything you need to do, from eight weeks before your move through one week after you have settled in.

8 Weeks Before Your Move

Housing and Lease

Review your current lease: Check your move-out notice requirements. Most Illinois leases require 30-60 days written notice. Failing to provide proper notice can cost you a month's rent or your security deposit
Sign your new lease or close on your new home: If renting in Chicago, review the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), which provides stronger tenant protections than state law
Document your current home's condition: Take dated photos and video of every room for security deposit purposes
Start researching moving companies: Get at least three quotes from licensed Illinois movers

School Research (If Applicable)

Research school districts in your new area. Illinois school quality varies significantly by district
Contact your new school district about enrollment requirements and transfer documentation
Request academic records from your current school

6 Weeks Before Your Move

Utilities and Services

Illinois utilities vary by region. Set up transfers or new accounts for the following:

Electricity: ComEd serves northern Illinois including Chicago and most suburbs. Ameren Illinois serves central and southern Illinois. Schedule your start date at least two weeks in advance
Natural Gas: Peoples Gas serves Chicago proper. Nicor Gas serves most suburbs. Ameren Illinois serves downstate. Each has its own account setup process
Water: Typically managed by your local municipality. Contact your city's water department
Internet and Cable: Xfinity/Comcast and AT&T are the dominant providers in most of Illinois. Check availability at your specific address

Insurance

Update your auto insurance to reflect your new Illinois address. Rates can change significantly by ZIP code
Set up renter's or homeowner's insurance for your new address
If coming from out of state, you may need to switch to an Illinois-licensed insurance provider

4 Weeks Before Your Move

Address Changes

USPS mail forwarding: Submit a Change of Address form online at usps.com or at your local post office. Do this at least two weeks before your move
Financial accounts: Update your address with banks, credit card companies, investment accounts, and retirement accounts
Subscriptions and memberships: Update addresses for subscriptions, gym memberships, professional organizations, and loyalty programs
Government agencies: Notify the IRS (use Form 8822), Social Security Administration, and your previous state's tax authority
Healthcare: Find new doctors, dentists, and specialists. Request medical records from your current providers. Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home

Chicago-Specific Preparations

If you are moving to Chicago, start these steps now:

Building coordination: Contact your new building about move-in procedures, elevator reservations, and required documentation
Parking permit: If your new neighborhood has residential permit parking (most do), you will need a residential parking permit from the City Clerk's office. These require proof of residency and vehicle registration
Moving day parking: Apply for a temporary no-parking permit for moving day through the Department of Finance

2 Weeks Before Your Move

Final Preparations

Confirm moving company: Verify the date, time, and any special requirements. Ensure the COI has been sent to your building if applicable
Pack non-essentials: Start packing items you will not need in the next two weeks
Notify your employer: Update your address for payroll, tax withholding (Illinois state income tax is a flat 4.95%), and benefits
Arrange pet logistics: If you have pets, research Illinois pet licensing requirements. Chicago requires dog licenses through the City Clerk's office

School Enrollment

Complete enrollment paperwork for your children's new school
Provide immunization records (Illinois has specific requirements that may differ from your previous state)
Schedule any required physicals or dental exams

Moving Week

Final Tasks

Clean your old home: Illinois law requires you to leave the rental in the same condition as when you moved in, minus normal wear and tear
Final utility readings: Schedule final meter reads at your old address for the day after you move out
Essentials box: Pack a box with items you will need immediately: toiletries, medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, important documents, snacks, and basic tools
Confirm parking: Verify that your temporary no-parking signs are posted (if in Chicago) and that the reserved space is clear
Cash for tips: Withdraw cash for moving crew tips. Standard tipping in Illinois is $20-$50 per mover for a local move

First Week After Your Move

Immediate Priorities

Verify utility connections: Confirm electricity, gas, water, and internet are all working at your new address
Update your address with online retailers: Amazon, food delivery apps, and any recurring deliveries
Explore your neighborhood: Locate the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, hospital or urgent care, and public transit stops
Meet your building staff: If you are in a managed building, introduce yourself to the doorman, concierge, and maintenance team

Chicago-Specific First-Week Items

City sticker: If you own a vehicle and park on Chicago streets, you need a Chicago city vehicle sticker. The cost is approximately $95.88 per year for most passenger vehicles. Purchase through the City Clerk's office or online. The fine for not having one is $200, so do not delay
Evanston sticker: Evanston also requires a city vehicle sticker if you live there
Recycling program: Chicago uses blue carts for recycling on a bi-weekly collection schedule. Check your ward's collection day through the city website or the Chi311 app
Ward services: Each of Chicago's 50 wards has an alderperson's office that handles local issues including potholes, streetlights, tree trimming, and neighborhood concerns. Find your ward and alderperson at the city's website
311 services: Download the CHI311 app for reporting issues, requesting city services, and finding information about your neighborhood

Within 30 Days

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle with the Illinois Secretary of State within 30 days of establishing residency
You will need your current title, proof of insurance, and a completed registration application
If moving from out of state, your vehicle may need an emissions test in the Chicago metro area (required in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will, and parts of other counties)
Registration fees vary by vehicle type and model year

Within 90 Days

Driver's License

Illinois law requires new residents to obtain an Illinois driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency. Here is what you need:

Visit a Secretary of State facility: Not all locations handle all services. Check online for a full-service facility near you
Bring required documents: Your current out-of-state license, one document proving your Social Security number, two documents proving Illinois residency (utility bill, lease, bank statement)
Written and vision tests: Required for all new Illinois license applicants from out of state. The written test covers Illinois traffic laws and road signs
Surrender your old license: Your previous state's license will be taken when you receive your Illinois license
REAL ID option: Consider getting a REAL ID-compliant license. You will need additional documentation including a certified birth certificate or passport

Voter Registration

Register to vote online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website
You can also register at your local election authority or when getting your driver's license
Registration must be completed at least 28 days before an election, though Illinois offers same-day registration at early voting sites and on Election Day

Tax Implications to Know

State income tax: Illinois has a flat income tax rate of 4.95%. There are no local income taxes
Property tax: Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, averaging about 2.07% of assessed value. Cook County (Chicago) has its own assessment process and rates
Sales tax: The combined state and local sales tax in Chicago is 10.25%, one of the highest in the country. Suburban and downstate rates are lower but still above average
Part-year returns: If you moved mid-year, you may need to file part-year returns in both your old state and Illinois

Start Your Illinois Move with Confidence

Moving to Illinois involves a lot of administrative steps, but tackling them in order with a clear timeline makes the process manageable. The biggest mistakes people make are missing deadlines for driver's licenses and vehicle registration, forgetting about city stickers, and not budgeting for Illinois's higher property and sales taxes.

Need help with the moving itself? Get a free quote from vetted Illinois movers and cross the biggest item off your checklist today.

Illinois Moving Checklist: Everything from Lease to License