Statewide planning Check Illinois authority for the route
The Illinois Commerce Commission says a business or individual transporting household property for hire must obtain an ICC Household Goods License and file a tariff. Confirm the performing entity’s legal name and current license with the ICC. Match the name in any official record to the legal entity on the estimate and contract.
- The Illinois Commerce Commission says a business or individual transporting household property for hire must obtain an ICC Household Goods License and file a tariff. Confirm the performing entity’s legal name and current license with the ICC.
- For an interstate move, use FMCSA records to confirm the performing carrier or broker and its current household-goods authority.
- A USDOT number alone does not prove state authority, insurance, service quality, or endorsement.
- Match the legal entity on the official record to the estimate and contract.
Statewide planning Confirm the performing legal entity
Ask who will physically transport the household goods and whether that entity is acting as a carrier or broker. Compare the legal name, authority record, estimate, contract, and payment instructions before booking.
- Request the ICC Household Goods License number and legal business name in writing.
- Verify the license with the Illinois Commerce Commission before booking.
- Match the licensed name to the name on your estimate and any vehicle branding.
- Treat a missing or unverifiable license number as a disqualifier.
Statewide planning What a filed tariff means for your estimate
Licensed Illinois household-goods movers must publish and file a tariff, which is a document listing their services and prices. For a consumer, the tariff matters because it is the reference point behind the estimate: it describes how the company charges for the work rather than leaving every term to a phone conversation. You do not need to read tariffs for fun, but you can ask each company how your written estimate connects to its filed tariff and expect a clear answer.
- Ask how the charges on your estimate relate to the company's filed tariff.
- Request written estimates for the same inventory and services from every company.
- Ask which situations, such as stairs, long carries, or packing, would change the final charges.
- Keep the written estimate and any tariff reference with your moving records.
Statewide planning Planning a move anywhere in Illinois
For a move within Illinois, give every company the exact addresses, date, inventory, requested services, property rules, truck access, carrying distance, and route constraints. Check current weather and road conditions close to the date and put delay, travel, access, and rescheduling assumptions in writing.
- Give every company the same move date, addresses, inventory, and requested services.
- Document stairs, elevators, gates, truck access, and carrying distance at both addresses.
- Check current weather and road conditions close to the move date.
- Put travel, delay, access, and rescheduling assumptions in writing.
Official resources Check current records and local guidance
Rules and public records can change. Use these official sources to confirm the requirements and access details that apply to your route and addresses.