How to Start a Permanent Lighting Business in Illinois
Everything you need to know about launching a permanent outdoor lighting installation business in Illinois — from licensing to your first customer.
The Illinois Market Opportunity
Illinois offers a large market centered around the Chicago metro suburbs, where cold winters and affluent communities create strong demand for permanent lighting. The collar counties (DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane) are particularly strong markets with high homeownership rates and homes with substantial roofline footage. Downstate markets like Peoria and Springfield provide lower-competition opportunities.
69
Target Cities
6,360,154
Combined Population
$20–40
Price Per Foot
Licensing & Requirements in Illinois
Illinois does not have a statewide contractor licensing requirement, but most municipalities have their own licensing. Chicago requires specific electrical licensing. Low-voltage exemptions vary by municipality. Liability insurance and workers' comp are required for all contractors.
General Requirements for All States
- General liability insurance ($1M minimum recommended)
- Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees)
- Business entity registration (LLC recommended)
- EIN from the IRS for tax purposes
- Local business license(s) for your operating area
Best Cities to Start In
These Illinois cities have the strongest demand for permanent outdoor lighting based on population, income levels, and housing characteristics.
Chicago
Pop. 2,696,555
Naperville
Pop. 149,540
Aurora
Pop. 180,542
Joliet
Pop. 150,362
Rockford
Pop. 148,655
Springfield
Pop. 114,230
Algonquin
Pop. 30,413
Arlington Heights
Pop. 77,676
Bartlett
Pop. 41,679
Belleville
Pop. 44,478
Berwyn
Pop. 54,850
Bloomington
Pop. 78,902
Bolingbrook
Pop. 73,922
Buffalo Grove
Pop. 41,496
Champaign
Pop. 88,302
Crystal Lake
Pop. 40,330
Decatur
Pop. 70,522
DeKalb
Pop. 42,882
Des Plaines
Pop. 58,364
Downers Grove
Pop. 49,670
Edwardsville
Pop. 25,023
Elgin
Pop. 114,797
Elk Grove Village
Pop. 33,127
Elmhurst
Pop. 47,589
Evanston
Pop. 78,110
Glenview
Pop. 49,250
Gurnee
Pop. 30,982
Hoffman Estates
Pop. 52,530
Huntley
Pop. 27,413
Lake Forest
Pop. 19,375
Lake in the Hills
Pop. 28,965
Lombard
Pop. 44,286
McHenry
Pop. 26,992
Moline
Pop. 42,120
Mount Prospect
Pop. 54,771
Mundelein
Pop. 31,491
Normal
Pop. 54,469
Northbrook
Pop. 33,170
O'Fallon
Pop. 32,112
Oak Brook
Pop. 8,058
Oak Lawn
Pop. 58,239
Oak Park
Pop. 52,233
Orland Park
Pop. 58,720
Palatine
Pop. 69,350
Park Ridge
Pop. 37,480
Peoria
Pop. 113,150
Plainfield
Pop. 44,762
Schaumburg
Pop. 78,723
Skokie
Pop. 67,824
St. Charles
Pop. 32,974
Tinley Park
Pop. 56,703
Vernon Hills
Pop. 26,360
Waukegan
Pop. 89,321
Wheaton
Pop. 53,648
Wheeling
Pop. 39,137
Wilmette
Pop. 27,482
Woodridge
Pop. 33,468
Yorkville
Pop. 22,025
Oswego
Pop. 35,860
Carol Stream
Pop. 40,438
Carpentersville
Pop. 37,691
Lake Zurich
Pop. 20,238
Libertyville
Pop. 20,475
Lisle
Pop. 23,574
Mokena
Pop. 20,721
Romeoville
Pop. 39,650
Round Lake Beach
Pop. 28,402
South Elgin
Pop. 23,648
Streamwood
Pop. 39,858
Equipment & Tools Needed
Essential Equipment
- 1 Extension ladders (24ft and 32ft minimum)
- 2 Cordless drill with rivet gun attachment
- 3 Wire strippers, crimpers, and low-voltage connectors
- 4 Work truck or van with ladder rack
- 5 Safety harness and fall protection gear
Business Tools
- 1 Brightly Measure — Measure rooflines from photos, generate professional quotes in minutes
- 2 CRM for lead tracking and follow-up
- 3 Accounting software (QuickBooks, Wave)
- 4 Google Business Profile for local SEO
- 5 Scheduling tool for job management
Ready to Quote Like a Pro?
Brightly Measure is the field sales tool built for permanent lighting installers. Measure rooflines from photos, generate professional quotes, and close deals — all from your phone.