Permit guides › Chicago › CHI-BF-04
IDES Unemployment Insurance Employer Registration: Chicago restaurant guide
Illinois Department of Employment Security
What it is
Registers you as an employer for state unemployment insurance contributions and wage reporting.
When a restaurant needs it
Within 30 days of start-up once you have employees.
How to apply
Register on MyTax Illinois or submit Form REG-UI-1.
Documents you’ll need
- EIN
- Ownership details
- First payroll date and wages
Fee
No registration fee listed
Processing time
Varies
Renewal
Quarterly contribution and wage reports
Who files
The owner or a payroll provider registers.
Good to know
New hires must also be reported to Illinois New Hire Reporting within 20 days of their first day on payroll (see CHI-TR-29), and Illinois requires nearly all employers to carry workers' compensation insurance (see CHI-TR-27).
Official source
IDES — new employer registration
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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.