Illinois IWCC Form IC1 is the Application for Adjustment of Claim that an injured worker (or a surviving family member) files with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission to start a workers’ compensation case under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305. Filing IC1 is the act that turns a workplace injury into a live legal claim, and missing the filing deadline in 820 ILCS 305/6(d) ends most claims forever.
The current IWCC posts roughly 45,000 to 55,000 new Applications for Adjustment of Claim each year, and a meaningful share are returned for missing signatures, blank accident dates, or the wrong respondent name on the official IC1 PDF. This guide walks you through every box, line by line, in plain English.
Here is what you will learn in this article:
- 📝 How to fill out every field on IC1 without triggering a return-for-correction letter
- ⏰ How the 3-year / 2-year statute of limitations under §6(d) controls your deadline
- 📬 How to file IC1 by mail, in person, or through the IWCC e-filing path
- 👨⚕️ How to handle repetitive trauma, occupational disease, and death claims
- ⚠️ The mistakes that cost injured workers their cases and how to avoid them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The IC1 is the charging document that opens a workers’ compensation case in Illinois, much like a complaint opens a civil lawsuit. It tells the IWCC and the employer (the respondent) that a worker (the petitioner) is asking for benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act or the companion Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act, 820 ILCS 310. Without an IC1 on file, the Commission has no jurisdiction to award you a single dollar.
You must file IC1 if you are an Illinois employee who suffered a work injury, a repetitive-trauma condition, or an occupational disease, and your employer or its insurance carrier will not voluntarily pay all the benefits you are owed. A surviving spouse, child, or other dependent files IC1 in death cases under §7 of the Act. Attorneys file IC1 on behalf of clients all day, but pro se filers are welcome at the IWCC and the Commission staff is trained to help self-represented petitioners.
The form is not the same as the employer’s Form 45 First Report of Injury. Form 45 is the employer’s report to the IWCC, and it does not start your case or protect your deadline. Only IC1, signed by you and received by the Commission, stops the statute of limitations clock.
You should file IC1 even if your employer is paying your medical bills and weekly checks voluntarily, if you are close to the §6(d) deadline. Voluntary payments can stop at any time, and once the deadline passes you cannot reopen the door. Filing IC1 is a defensive move as much as an offensive one.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the IC1 PDF, because the form has narrow boxes and you cannot save your progress on the paper version.
- Your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security card. A mismatch between IC1 and your medical records can delay benefits while the carrier investigates identity.
- Your current mailing address, phone number, and email. The Commission and the respondent send all notices here, so a wrong address means missed hearings and possible dismissal under 50 Ill. Adm. Code 9020.70.
- Your Social Security number. IWCC uses the last four digits on the case caption, and the carrier uses the full number to verify wages.
- Date of accident or date of manifestation. For repetitive trauma, this is the date you knew or should have known the condition was work-related, not the first day of pain.
- Your employer’s exact legal name and address. Use the name on your W-2 or pay stub, not the trade name on the building. A wrong respondent name is the number-one reason cases get dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.
- The employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier, if you know it. If you do not know, leave the box blank rather than guess, because a wrong carrier slows service.
- A short, factual description of how the accident happened. Two or three sentences is enough at the IC1 stage.
- The body parts injured. Use plain words like low back, right shoulder, or both hands, and include any psychological component if you are claiming one.
- Your average weekly wage estimate. Look at your last 52 weeks of pay stubs, or the wage records the employer filed under §10 of the Act.
- A check for $0 or proof of fee waiver. IC1 has no filing fee, but you do need postage if you mail it.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative source for IC1 is the IWCC Forms page, which links the fillable IC1 PDF. Do not download IC1 from a third-party site, because outdated revisions still float around the internet and the Commission rejects superseded versions. Confirm the revision date printed in the lower corner of page 1 matches the version currently posted by the IWCC before you sign.
You can also pick up a paper IC1 in person at the IWCC’s Chicago headquarters at 100 W. Randolph St., Suite 8-200, Chicago, IL 60601, or at the Springfield office at 701 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL 62704. Staff at the front counter will hand you a clean copy and a self-addressed envelope, and they will point you to a quiet table to fill it out. They cannot give legal advice, but they can answer procedural questions about where each piece of information goes.
If you are represented, your attorney will usually file IC1 through the IWCC’s CompFile e-filing system, which is the Commission’s secure portal. Pro se petitioners may also register for CompFile, but most self-represented filers find paper filing easier because the portal assumes you already have a case number.
Print IC1 single-sided on plain white paper, in black ink, and avoid double-sided printing because the Commission scans each side as a separate page. A two-sided IC1 has been known to lose its second page in the scanning queue, which can mean a missing signature and a returned filing.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form IC1 Line by Line
The IC1 is one page, front and back, but every box matters. Work from top to bottom, and do not skip a field even if it looks optional. The walkthrough below uses the field labels exactly as they appear on the official IC1.
Case Number (top right corner)
This box asks for the IWCC case number assigned to your claim.
Leave this field blank if you have never filed before, because the Commission assigns the number when it receives IC1 and stamps it on your copy. If you are filing an amended IC1 on an existing case, write the number in the format 26 WC 012345, with the two-digit year first, the letters WC, then the six-digit sequence.
For example, Marcus Reyes leaves this box empty when he files his first IC1 for a 2026 back injury, and the Commission later mails him a notice showing his new case number 26 WC 014782.
A common edge case is filing a second IC1 for a different accident with the same employer. Each accident gets its own case number, so do not write the old number on the new IC1. The mistake of recycling an old number causes the new filing to be docketed under the closed case, which can hide your new claim from the assigned arbitrator.
A misconception is that you can pick your own case number or use the employer’s internal claim number. The IWCC alone assigns case numbers, and the carrier’s claim number means nothing to the Commission.
Petitioner (Injured Worker) Name
This field asks for the full legal name of the person who was hurt.
Write your name in the order First Middle Last, in the same format as your Social Security card. Do not use nicknames, do not abbreviate, and do not write aka. If you have a hyphenated last name, include the hyphen.
For example, Aisha N. Coleman-Boyd, a CNA in Rockford with a carpal tunnel claim, writes her name exactly as printed on her SSA card.
The edge case is a recent name change after marriage or divorce. If your medical records and pay stubs are still in your old name, write your current legal name on IC1 and add the prior name in parentheses, like Aisha N. Coleman-Boyd (formerly Aisha N. Boyd).
A common mistake is writing the name as it appears on the driver’s license when the SSA record differs. The carrier’s investigator runs SSA traces, and a mismatch triggers a hold on benefits while the investigator verifies identity, which can delay your first TTD check by weeks.
The misconception is that the petitioner must be the injured worker. In a death claim under §7, the petitioner is the surviving dependent, not the deceased worker, and the deceased’s name goes in a separate field below.
Petitioner’s Address, Phone, and Email
This block asks where the Commission and the respondent should send mail and notices.
Write your current residential or mailing address, including apartment number, city, ZIP, and a phone number where you can be reached during the day. Add an email address if you check email regularly, because the IWCC increasingly sends status notices by email.
For example, Marcus Reyes writes 4218 S. Wood St., Apt. 2B, Chicago, IL 60609, his cell (773) 555-0142, and his Gmail address.
The edge case is a homeless or transitional address. Use a friend or relative’s address with their permission, or use a P.O. Box, but never leave the field blank. A blank address means the Commission cannot serve you with hearing notices, and an unserved petitioner risks dismissal for want of prosecution under Rule 9020.70.
A common mistake is writing the employer’s address here by accident, especially when filing while still working. The address gets used for service, and the wrong address means the respondent learns about the case before you do.
The misconception is that you must update IC1 each time you move. You do not amend IC1 for an address change. Instead, file a written notice of change of address with the Commission and serve it on the respondent.
Last 4 Digits of Social Security Number
This field asks for the last four digits of your SSN.
Write only the last four digits, like 4827, in the small box. The full SSN goes nowhere on IC1, because the Commission redacts personal identifiers under 50 Ill. Adm. Code 9030.
For example, Janet Whitaker, the surviving spouse of a deceased ironworker, writes 6201 as the last four digits of her late husband’s SSN, because the deceased worker’s SSN governs the death claim.
The edge case is an undocumented worker without an SSN. Illinois workers’ compensation covers undocumented workers, and you may write N/A or None in the box. The Commission still has jurisdiction, and your immigration status is not a defense to your claim.
The mistake is writing the full nine-digit SSN. The IC1 becomes a public document, and a full SSN exposes you to identity theft. The Commission may also reject the form and ask you to refile a redacted copy.
The misconception is that an ITIN goes here in place of an SSN. ITINs do not belong on IC1 at all. Write N/A and let the carrier sort out wage verification through the employer’s payroll records.
Respondent (Employer) Name and Address
This field asks for the legal name and address of the employer that owed you a safe workplace on the date of accident.
Use the name printed on your W-2 box c or your most recent pay stub, not the trade name on the truck or the storefront. Include the corporate suffix, like Inc., LLC, or Corp., and write the corporate headquarters address from the Illinois Secretary of State Business Search.
For example, Marcus Reyes writes Wood Street Logistics, LLC, 1500 W. 41st St., Chicago, IL 60609, even though the trucks all say WSL Freight.
The edge case is a staffing agency placement. If you were a temp placed by ABC Staffing at XYZ Manufacturing, list both as respondents on separate lines, because either can be a borrowing or loaning employer under §1(a)(4). Naming only one risks dismissal against the unnamed party.
A specific mistake is writing the d/b/a name only. The Commission cannot enter judgment against a trade name, only against a legal entity, and a wrong name can void an entire award years later.
The misconception is that the respondent is the insurance carrier. The carrier is not a respondent. The employer is the respondent, and the carrier appears separately in the next field.
Insurance Carrier
This field asks for the name of the workers’ compensation insurance company.
Write the carrier’s name and Illinois address if you know it. If you do not know, leave the field blank or write Unknown. Do not guess, because a misnamed carrier is not served and will not appear at the first hearing.
For example, Aisha Coleman-Boyd writes Travelers Property Casualty Co. of America, P.O. Box 660317, Dallas, TX 75266 because that address appears on the denial letter she received.
The edge case is a self-insured employer. Large Illinois employers often self-insure with IWCC approval, and you write Self-Insured in this box. Confirm self-insurance through the IWCC self-insurance list.
The mistake is naming the third-party administrator (TPA) like Sedgwick or Gallagher Bassett as the carrier. TPAs adjust claims but they are not insurers, and naming a TPA as carrier confuses service.
The misconception is that the carrier becomes a party to the case. Carriers pay benefits and direct the defense, but the employer is the named respondent. The carrier never signs the settlement contract as a party.
Date of Accident
This field asks for the calendar date the injury happened.
Write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format, like 03/14/2026. For repetitive trauma, write the date of manifestation, which the Illinois Supreme Court in Durand v. IWCC, 224 Ill. 2d 53 (2006), defined as the date the injury became plainly apparent to a reasonable person.
For example, Aisha writes 01/22/2026 because that is the day her hand surgeon told her the carpal tunnel was caused by her CNA work, even though her wrist pain started in 2024.
The edge case is a gradual onset back condition with no specific accident. Use the last day you worked before going off duty, and explain the gradual onset in the description box.
A common mistake on this field is writing the date you reported the injury or the date you saw the doctor. The accident date is the date of the incident or the date of manifestation, and a wrong date can blow the §6(d) statute.
The misconception is that the accident date can be approximate. The Commission and the respondent calculate every deadline from this date, so an approximate date creates an approximate deadline, and you do not get the benefit of the doubt.
Place of Accident
This field asks where the accident happened.
Write the street address or job site location, including the city and ZIP if you know them. For traveling employees, write the city or stretch of road where the accident occurred.
For example, Marcus writes Wood Street Logistics warehouse loading dock, 1500 W. 41st St., Chicago, IL 60609.
The edge case is an out-of-state accident for an Illinois-based employee. Illinois has jurisdiction under §1(b)(2) if the contract for hire was made in Illinois, even if the accident happened in Indiana or Wisconsin. Write the actual location and let jurisdiction be argued later.
The mistake is writing only the city. Vague location entries cause the carrier to dispute arising out of and in the course of employment, which are the two threshold elements under §2 of the Act.
The misconception is that the place of accident must be the employer’s premises. Workers compensation covers many off-premises injuries for traveling employees, delivery drivers, and home-based workers.
Description of Accident / How the Accident Happened
This field asks for a short factual narrative.
Write two or three sentences in plain language describing what you were doing, what went wrong, and what part of your body was hurt. Stick to the facts. Do not argue causation, do not blame the employer, and do not include settlement demands.
For example, Marcus writes While loading a 75-pound pallet onto a trailer, I felt a sharp pop in my low back and fell to one knee. I could not stand up straight and was taken to Mercy Hospital ER.
The edge case is repetitive trauma with no single event. Write something like Through repetitive gripping, squeezing, and lifting of patients over the course of my CNA duties, I developed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome that became disabling on 01/22/2026.
A common mistake is writing a paragraph of grievances about the supervisor or working conditions. The narrative should be neutral, because anything you write is admissible at hearing and a hostile tone can be used against you.
The misconception is that this section locks in your theory of the case. It does not. You can amend the description later, and at hearing your testimony controls. Still, do not contradict yourself.
Parts of Body Affected
This field asks which body parts were hurt.
List every body part involved, separated by commas, using plain language. Include both sides if both are hurt, and include any psychological injury.
For example, Janet, filing as the surviving spouse, writes Person as a whole, death because her husband died from his fall.
Aisha writes Both hands, both wrists, and Marcus writes Low back, left leg (radiating pain).
The edge case is an injury that develops into other body parts later. Add the new body part by amending IC1 before the case closes, because anything not listed is not before the arbitrator and cannot be awarded.
A common mistake is writing only the most painful body part on day one. If you list only low back and later need a knee surgery from the same fall, the carrier will fight the knee as a new claim.
The misconception is that person as a whole covers everything. Use person as a whole only for systemic injuries like brain injury, internal organ damage, or psychological injury. For limb injuries, list each limb.
Nature and Extent of Injury (Checkboxes)
This field asks you to check the boxes that describe the type of case.
Check every box that applies. The choices typically include Accident, Occupational Disease, Repetitive Trauma, Death, and sometimes a checkbox for emergency §19(b) relief.
For example, Aisha checks Repetitive Trauma and nothing else, because her carpal tunnel was not a single accident.
The edge case is a hybrid case, like an acute back injury that aggravated a pre-existing degenerative condition. Check Accident only, because the legal theory is acute injury with aggravation, not occupational disease.
The mistake is checking nothing. A blank nature-of-case box leaves the arbitrator guessing and may result in your claim being treated as a single-incident accident even if you meant repetitive trauma.
The misconception is that you must pick exactly one box. You may check more than one, and in death cases you must check both Death and the underlying cause, like Accident or Occupational Disease.
Petitioner’s Signature and Date
This field asks for your signature and the date you signed.
Sign in blue or black ink. Print the date next to your signature in MM/DD/YYYY. The Commission requires an original signature on paper filings, and a photocopied or stamped signature is grounds for return.
For example, Marcus signs Marcus A. Reyes and dates it 05/12/2026.
The edge case is a petitioner who cannot sign because of a serious injury. A guardian or attorney-in-fact under a valid Illinois power of attorney may sign and write as attorney-in-fact for [Petitioner]. Attach a copy of the POA.
A common mistake is signing in pencil. Pencil signatures are rejected because they can be erased, and the Commission returns the form for an original ink signature.
The misconception is that an attorney’s signature replaces yours. The petitioner’s signature is required even when an attorney files. The attorney may also sign on a separate appearance form, but yours cannot be skipped.
Attorney Information (if represented)
This field asks for the attorney’s name, ARDC number, firm, address, phone, and email.
Pro se petitioners write Pro Se or leave the block blank. Represented petitioners must include the ARDC number, because the Commission cross-checks every appearance against the active roll of Illinois lawyers.
For example, Janet’s attorney writes Patricia O’Connell, ARDC #6234567, O’Connell & Associates, 33 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60602.
The edge case is co-counsel from another state. Out-of-state lawyers must associate with Illinois counsel and file a pro hac vice motion before signing here.
The mistake is listing a paralegal instead of the attorney. Only a licensed Illinois lawyer may appear, and a paralegal name in the attorney box can void the appearance.
The misconception is that filing IC1 with an attorney name binds the lawyer for life. The attorney may withdraw with leave of the Commission later. Still, the attorney is on the case until withdrawal is allowed.
Proof of Service
This field, on the back of IC1, asks how and when you served the respondent with a copy.
Write the date you mailed or delivered a copy of the signed IC1 to the employer at the address you listed above, and check the box for U.S. Mail, Personal Service, or Email (if the respondent agreed to email service). Sign the proof of service.
For example, Marcus writes 05/12/2026, U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, addressed to Wood Street Logistics, LLC at 1500 W. 41st St., Chicago, IL 60609, and signs.
The edge case is a respondent that has gone out of business. Serve the registered agent of record, and if there is no agent, serve the Illinois Secretary of State under §1(a)(2).
A common mistake is forgetting Proof of Service entirely. Without it, the Commission cannot confirm jurisdiction over the respondent, and the case will sit in no service status until you cure the defect.
The misconception is that the Commission serves the respondent for you. It does not. Service is the petitioner’s job under Rule 9020.40.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three named filers below illustrate the most common IC1 fact patterns. Each table shows what the petitioner enters in the most important fields of the official IC1.
Scenario 1: Marcus Reyes — Acute Back Injury at a Chicago Warehouse
Marcus is a 38-year-old warehouse worker who herniated a disc lifting a pallet on March 14, 2026. He files pro se in May 2026.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Petitioner Name | Marcus A. Reyes |
| Petitioner Address | 4218 S. Wood St., Apt. 2B, Chicago, IL 60609 |
| Last 4 SSN | 4827 |
| Respondent Name | Wood Street Logistics, LLC |
| Respondent Address | 1500 W. 41st St., Chicago, IL 60609 |
| Insurance Carrier | Travelers Indemnity Co. |
| Date of Accident | 03/14/2026 |
| Place of Accident | Loading dock, 1500 W. 41st St., Chicago, IL 60609 |
| Description | Lifted 75-lb pallet, felt sharp pop in low back, fell to one knee. |
| Parts of Body | Low back, left leg (radiating pain) |
| Nature of Case | Accident |
| Signature / Date | Marcus A. Reyes / 05/12/2026 |
Scenario 2: Aisha Coleman-Boyd — Repetitive-Trauma Carpal Tunnel as a CNA
Aisha is a 46-year-old CNA in Rockford whose hand surgeon diagnosed bilateral carpal tunnel and told her on January 22, 2026, that her job caused it.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Petitioner Name | Aisha N. Coleman-Boyd |
| Petitioner Address | 712 Kishwaukee St., Rockford, IL 61104 |
| Last 4 SSN | 3198 |
| Respondent Name | Northern Illinois Senior Care, Inc. |
| Respondent Address | 900 N. Main St., Rockford, IL 61103 |
| Insurance Carrier | Travelers Property Casualty Co. of America |
| Date of Accident (Manifestation) | 01/22/2026 |
| Place of Accident | Northern Illinois Senior Care facility, Rockford, IL |
| Description | Repetitive gripping, squeezing, and lifting of patients led to bilateral carpal tunnel, diagnosed 01/22/2026. |
| Parts of Body | Both hands, both wrists |
| Nature of Case | Repetitive Trauma |
| Signature / Date | Aisha N. Coleman-Boyd / 02/15/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet Whitaker — Death Claim After a Fatal Workplace Fall
Janet is the 54-year-old surviving spouse of an ironworker who died in a 90-foot fall at a Joliet job site on April 3, 2026. She files under §7 with counsel.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Petitioner Name | Janet M. Whitaker (surviving spouse of David R. Whitaker, deceased) |
| Petitioner Address | 1809 Hickory Creek Dr., New Lenox, IL 60451 |
| Last 4 SSN (Decedent) | 6201 |
| Respondent Name | Midwest Steel Erectors, Inc. |
| Respondent Address | 215 Industrial Pkwy., Joliet, IL 60436 |
| Insurance Carrier | Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. |
| Date of Accident | 04/03/2026 |
| Place of Accident | Joliet Logistics Center construction site, Joliet, IL |
| Description | Decedent fell approximately 90 feet from steel beam; pronounced dead at scene. |
| Parts of Body | Person as a whole, death |
| Nature of Case | Accident, Death |
| Signature / Date | Janet M. Whitaker / 05/20/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file IC1 by mail, in person, or through the CompFile e-filing portal. There is no filing fee.
By mail. Send the original signed IC1 to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, 100 W. Randolph St., Suite 8-200, Chicago, IL 60601. Use certified mail with return receipt requested, because the green card is your proof of timely filing. Processing takes about 10 to 14 business days, after which the Commission mails you a notice with your new case number. Keep the green card and a copy of IC1 in a safe place forever.
In person. Walk the original to the Chicago office at 100 W. Randolph St., Suite 8-200 during business hours, or to the Springfield office at 701 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL 62704. The clerk will date-stamp your copy on the spot, which is the cleanest possible proof of filing. Same-day docketing is typical for in-person filings.
By CompFile. Register for an account on the CompFile portal, upload the signed PDF of IC1, and pay no fee. CompFile returns an immediate filing receipt with a case number, often within minutes. Save the receipt as a PDF and email a copy to yourself for safekeeping.
By fax. The IWCC does not accept IC1 by fax. Anything faxed will be ignored. This is a frequent source of missed deadlines.
Whichever channel you choose, mail or deliver a copy of the signed IC1 to the respondent at the address you listed in the Respondent block, and complete the Proof of Service on the back. The Commission’s filing is not the same as service on the employer, and both must happen.
What Happens After You File
The Commission assigns a case number, typically in the format 26 WC 014782, and mails you a notice confirming receipt. Your case is randomly assigned to one of roughly 30 IWCC arbitrators across the state, and the venue is set based on the county of the accident. You will see the arbitrator’s name on the notice.
The respondent has 30 days to file an appearance and any answer it intends to raise. If the respondent ignores the case, you may move for default. Most respondents appear quickly because the carrier wants to control the defense.
Your case enters a 3-year status call cycle, where the arbitrator checks in every three months to track progress. You must appear at status calls, in person or by phone depending on the arbitrator’s standing order, or risk dismissal under Rule 9020.70. Most cases resolve by settlement contract on Form IC2 or by an arbitrator’s decision after trial.
If benefits stop and you need quick relief, file a §19(b) Petition for Immediate Hearing to force a fast trial on TTD and medical bills. Section 19(b) is one of the most powerful tools an injured worker has, and arbitrators usually set §19(b) trials within 60 to 90 days.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Wrong respondent name. Naming the trade name instead of the legal entity can cause dismissal for lack of jurisdiction.
- Wrong date of accident. A guess on the manifestation date can blow the §6(d) statute and end the case.
- Blank Proof of Service. No POS means the Commission cannot confirm service, and the case stalls.
- Pencil signature. Pencil signatures are rejected and the form is mailed back, often after the deadline.
- Listing the TPA as carrier. Sedgwick and Gallagher Bassett are TPAs, not carriers, and listing them confuses service.
- Full SSN written out. A full SSN exposes you to identity theft and may be returned for redaction.
- Missing body parts. Anything not listed is not before the arbitrator and cannot be awarded later without amendment.
- Typing the description as a complaint. Hostile language is admissible and can be used against you at trial.
- Forgetting attorney ARDC number. A missing ARDC number invalidates the attorney’s appearance.
- Filing by fax. The IWCC does not accept faxed IC1 filings, and a faxed form is treated as never filed.
- Picking your own case number. Only the Commission assigns case numbers, and a self-assigned number causes mis-docketing.
- Skipping the Nature-of-Case checkboxes. A blank nature-of-case section forces the arbitrator to guess, often to the petitioner’s disadvantage.
Dos and Don’ts
- Do keep a date-stamped copy of IC1 forever.
- Do verify the employer’s legal name on the Illinois Secretary of State Business Search before signing.
- Do use certified mail with return receipt for paper filings.
- Do list every body part, including aggravated pre-existing conditions.
- Do complete the Proof of Service on the back the same day you sign.
- Do call the IWCC information desk if a field is unclear.
- Don’t wait until the last week before the §6(d) deadline.
- Don’t sign in pencil or use a stamped signature.
- Don’t guess at the carrier name; leave it blank if you do not know.
- Don’t include settlement demands or angry language in the description.
- Don’t fax IC1 to the Commission.
- Don’t rely on the employer’s Form 45 to protect your deadline.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se | Filing With an Attorney |
|---|---|
| No attorney fee out of settlement | Attorney fee capped at 20% under §16a |
| Full control of strategy | Attorney handles strategy and paperwork |
| Direct communication with arbitrator | Attorney filters complex carrier tactics |
| Free IWCC staff guidance on procedure | Attorney can file §19(b) and §8(a) motions |
| Slower learning curve on rules | Faster docket movement, fewer mistakes |
Pros of filing pro se. You keep every dollar of any award. You learn the system. You set your own pace. You speak directly with the arbitrator. You are not waiting on a busy law firm.
Cons of filing pro se. You are matched against an experienced defense lawyer. You may miss procedural deadlines. You may undervalue your case at settlement. You may not know to file a §19(b). You will not have an expert to depose the IME doctor.
Pros of filing with an attorney. Attorney fees in Illinois are capped at 20% of the recovery under §16a of the Act. The attorney pays case costs up front. You get a free consultation. You get expert cross-examination of defense doctors. You sleep better.
Cons of filing with an attorney. You give up 20% of recovery. You depend on the attorney’s calendar. You lose some direct control. You may pay costs out of recovery on top of the fee. You may have to switch attorneys if the relationship sours.
Key Entities Involved
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission is the agency that receives IC1, assigns the arbitrator, and decides the case. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305, is the statute that creates IC1 and the benefits behind it. The Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act, 820 ILCS 310, is the parallel statute for occupational disease claims.
The Commission Rules, 50 Ill. Adm. Code Part 9020, are the procedural rules that govern filing, service, and status calls. The ARDC regulates the lawyers who appear on IC1. The Illinois Secretary of State Business Search is where you confirm the respondent’s legal name. Illinois case law including Durand v. IWCC, 224 Ill. 2d 53 (2006) shapes how manifestation date is set on IC1, and Interstate Scaffolding v. IWCC, 236 Ill. 2d 132 (2010) governs continuing TTD entitlement after termination.
FAQs
How long do I have to file IC1 after a workplace accident?
3 years from the date of accident, or 2 years from the last workers’ compensation payment, whichever is later, under 820 ILCS 305/6(d). Miss it and your claim is barred forever.
Is there a filing fee for IC1?
No. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission charges no fee to file IC1, whether by mail, in person, or through CompFile. Postage and certified-mail charges are your only out-of-pocket cost.
Can I file IC1 if I am undocumented?
Yes. Illinois workers’ compensation covers undocumented workers, and immigration status is not a defense. Write N/A in the SSN box and proceed normally with the rest of the form.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the Petitioner Name field?
Use your current legal name as it appears on your Social Security card, then add the prior name in parentheses if your medical records or pay stubs use the old name to avoid identity-verification delays.
What goes in the Last 4 SSN box if I am filing a death claim?
The deceased worker’s last four SSN digits go in the box, not the surviving spouse’s. The case is built on the decedent’s wage record, so the decedent’s SSN controls.
Do I check both Accident and Repetitive Trauma in the Nature-of-Case section?
No. Pick the box that fits the legal theory. If you have one acute event, check Accident. If the injury developed over time, check Repetitive Trauma. Hybrids usually go under Accident with aggravation pleaded later.
What date do I write for a repetitive-trauma claim?
Write the date of manifestation, meaning the day you knew or should have known the condition was work-related, per Durand v. IWCC. It is not the first day of pain.
Does my employer’s Form 45 protect my deadline?
No. Only your own filed IC1 stops the §6(d) clock. Form 45 is the employer’s report and has no effect on your statute of limitations.
Can I file IC1 by fax or email?
No. The IWCC does not accept faxed or emailed IC1 filings. Use mail, in-person delivery, or the CompFile portal. A fax is treated as never filed.
Do I have to serve the employer myself?
Yes. Service on the respondent is the petitioner’s job under Rule 9020.40, and the Proof of Service block on the back of IC1 documents that you did it.
Can I amend IC1 after I file it?
Yes. You may amend IC1 to add body parts, correct names, or fix dates by filing an Amended Application with the Commission and serving the respondent, ideally before the §6(d) deadline runs.
Will filing IC1 get me fired?
No. Retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim is illegal in Illinois under Kelsay v. Motorola, 74 Ill. 2d 172 (1978). A wrongful termination after filing IC1 supports a separate retaliatory-discharge lawsuit.
How long until my case is assigned to an arbitrator?
Usually within 2 to 4 weeks after filing. The Commission mails a notice with the case number, the arbitrator’s name, and the venue, and the case enters the regular status-call cycle.
What if I do not know the insurance carrier?
Leave the carrier field blank or write Unknown. A wrong guess can mis-direct service, while a blank lets the Commission and the respondent supply the right carrier later.
Do I need an attorney to fill out IC1?
No. Pro se filers are common and welcome at the IWCC, but Illinois attorney fees are capped at 20% of recovery under §16a, which makes representation affordable for most petitioners.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Application for Adjustment of Claim + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Form 45 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Notice of Motion (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Petition to Reinstate (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 18 + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Arizona ICA Employer’s Report of Injury (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California WCAB DWC-AD 1 (w/Examples) + FAQs