What Illinois requires
- Every employer keeps accurate records of work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses, except minor injuries needing only first aid that involve no medical treatment, loss of consciousness, restriction of work or motion, or transfer to another job820 ILCS 305/6 (b)
- The employer reports to the Workers' Compensation Commission, in writing, every accidental death, injury or illness that results in the loss of more than 3 scheduled work days: a death within 2 working days, other cases between the 15th and 25th of each month, and a further report once a permanent disability is determined820 ILCS 305/6 (b) ยท IWCC Forms page, Accident Reporting
- Each report states the date and time of day of the injury, the nature of the employer's business, the injured person's name, address, age, sex, marital status and specific occupation, the direct cause of the injury and the nature of the accident, the character of the injury, the length of disability, wages, and compensation and medical bills paid and by whom820 ILCS 305/6 (b)
- Since June 14, 2019 the Commission requires accident reports in the IAIABC 3.1 XML (EDI) standard, filed by the employer or the insurer on its behalf, and it no longer collects Social Security numbers on themIWCC Forms page, Accident Reporting
- Filing these reports with the Commission satisfies the employer's injury reporting to other State officers under the Safety Inspection and Education Act, the Health and Safety Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act; the reports are confidential, and failing to file one is a petty offense820 ILCS 305/6 (b)
- The employee gives the employer notice of the accident as soon as practicable and no later than 45 days after it (90 days after learning of an excessive radiation dose); notice may be oral or written and gives the approximate date and place820 ILCS 305/6 (c)
Records of every injury beyond first aid
Keep accurate records of work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses. Minor injuries are left out only when they needed first aid alone, with no medical treatment, loss of consciousness, work restriction or job transfer.
Reports to the Commission
Report every death, injury or illness with more than three scheduled workdays lost. A death is due within two working days; other cases go in between the 15th and 25th of each month, and a further report follows once a permanent disability is known. Reports are filed electronically in the IAIABC 3.1 standard, usually by the insurer, and no longer carry Social Security numbers.
Each report states the date and time, your business, the employee's details and occupation, the direct cause and nature of the accident, the character of the injury, the length of disability, wages, and what has been paid. Filing with the Commission covers the other State reporting laws; failing to file is a petty offense.
The employee's notice
Employees tell the employer as soon as practicable and within 45 days, orally or in writing, with the approximate date and place.
From field notes to a finished Illinois report
Note the time, what directly caused the injury, what kind of accident it was, the injury itself and the days missed. ReportDraft writes those up in the words the Commission report uses and keeps fields for the lost workdays and when the report went in.
Common mistakes
- Treating an injury that needed a doctor as first aid only and keeping no record.
- Holding a death report until the monthly window instead of 2 working days.
- Leaving out the time of day of the injury.
- Not sending a further report once a permanent disability is known.
- Putting Social Security numbers on accident reports.
Sources
- 820 ILCS 305/6 (b), checked October 15, 2026
- IWCC Forms page, Accident Reporting, checked October 15, 2026
- 820 ILCS 305/6 (c), checked October 15, 2026
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due January 15, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.