Illinois ranked among the top three states for net outbound domestic migration in 2024, losing 56,235 residents to other states, roughly one person every nine minutes. Only California and New York shed more residents through domestic migration. The primary outbound routes follow I-90 to Wisconsin (the top destination for Illinois leavers by share of population), I-65 south to Indiana and Tennessee, I-55 and I-57 toward Missouri, and I-80 toward Iowa. Chicago, meanwhile, continues to attract a large influx of international migrants, which partially offsets domestic population loss. The state’s housing complexity shapes what movers actually face: Chicago proper is dense with high-rise condos, vintage six-flats, and narrow coach houses, requiring elevator reservations, parking permits from the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), and maneuvering through corridors built for 19th-century furniture. Downstate markets, including Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, Champaign, and the Quad Cities, involve primarily single-family residential moves across longer distances. Average moving cost in Illinois is approximately $2,908, slightly below the national average of $3,020, with local Chicago moves averaging around $1,716. Illinois has one of the most rigorous state-level regulatory frameworks in the country: all intrastate household goods movers must hold a Household Goods License from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), file a published tariff, and maintain cargo insurance. Carriers cannot charge more than 110% of a written estimate. Violations carry fines of up to $1,000 per day. Verify a company’s ICC Household Goods License at icc.illinois.gov or call 217-782-6448. File complaints through the ICC’s online portal.
Top-Rated Movers in Illinois
New City Moving
Address: 2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Website: newcitymovers.com
USDOT: #3078026
New City Moving is one of Chicago’s largest independently operated moving companies, with a fleet of over 130 trucks and more than 400 employees. ICC license number 158051 is on file with the Illinois Commerce Commission. The company handles local residential and commercial moves throughout Chicagoland, interstate long-distance moves across the Midwest, and specialty moves including piano and oversized item transport. Over half of the company’s annual volume comes from repeat customers. Packing, unpacking, and climate-controlled storage are available. For Chicago-specific logistics, the team is experienced in navigating elevator reservations, parking permit coordination, and end-of-month building access constraints common in the city’s rental market.
Move-tastic!
Address: 3100 N Tripp Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
Website: move-tastic.com
Move-tastic! is a family-owned Chicago moving company founded in 2007, fully licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC license #158678) and insured. The company handles full-service residential and commercial moves throughout Chicago and Chicagoland suburbs, offering packing services, overnight and long-term vault storage, intrabuilding moves, and truck load/unload labor for DIY containers and interstate trucks. Move-tastic! employs its own movers rather than using subcontractors, and holds a 4.9-star average across over 1,500 verified reviews. The company’s local expertise extends to parking permit coordination with the Chicago Department of Transportation and building-specific move logistics across the city’s dense residential neighborhoods.
Midway Moving & Storage
Address: 4100 W Ferdinand St, Chicago, IL 60624
Website: midwaymoving.com
USDOT: #730844
Midway Moving & Storage has operated in Chicago for over 40 years. ICC license number 78520 is on file. The company serves households, businesses, nonprofits, and government institutions across Illinois and the broader Chicagoland area, with an emphasis on never using day laborers or subcontractors. Services include local and long-distance residential moves, commercial relocation, packing, private storage vault rental, and specialty item handling for electronics and artwork. The company maintains a fleet of 21 registered vehicles and 23 drivers according to FMCSA records.
Moving Companies in Illinois: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in Illinois?
Yes. Any company transporting household goods for hire within Illinois must hold a Household Goods License issued by the Illinois Commerce Commission. This is a meaningful consumer protection: operating without this license can result in fines of up to $1,000 per day. You can verify a mover’s ICC license status at icc.illinois.gov or by calling 217-782-6448. For interstate moves, verify the company’s USDOT number separately through the FMCSA.
How much does a local move typically cost in Illinois?
The average cost of a move in Illinois is approximately $2,908 according to published survey data, which is slightly below the national average of $3,020. Local moves within Chicago average around $1,716. Long-distance moves from Illinois to another state range from $2,200 to $10,500 depending on distance and volume. Rates from companies charging hourly in Chicago run around $113 per hour on average for a multi-person crew.
How does Chicago’s housing stock affect my move?
Chicago’s rental market creates specific logistical demands that distinguish it from most other Illinois cities. High-rise buildings require elevator reservation and often restrict moves to service elevators during limited windows. Many buildings prohibit moves at month-end or require certificates of insurance from the moving company. Narrow streets in neighborhoods like Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square can prevent standard 26-foot trucks from operating at the building entrance, requiring shuttle loads. Obtaining a parking permit from the Chicago OEMC ($25 per day) before move day is strongly recommended to prevent disruptions.
What does Illinois law require movers to do with estimates?
Under ICC rules, a licensed mover must provide a written estimate upon request. Written estimates are not binding in themselves, but movers cannot charge more than 110% of the written estimate on delivery day; they cannot withhold your goods if you pay the written amount plus 10%. For interstate moves, FMCSA rules govern binding and non-binding estimates separately. Always get your estimate in writing before any goods are loaded.
How do I file a complaint against an Illinois mover?
For intrastate moves (within Illinois), file a complaint with the Illinois Commerce Commission online at icc.illinois.gov or by calling 217-782-6448. The ICC’s dispute resolution service can help mediate claims for lost or damaged goods if you cannot resolve them directly with the mover. For interstate moves, file with the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database. Document everything: written estimates, bills of lading, inventory sheets, and payment records are all relevant to a complaint investigation.