What can a handyman do in Savanna, IL?
Illinois has no statewide general contractor license for this work, so local and trade rules decide.
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No license threshold. HRRA Sec. 10: definition excludes 'maintenance, service, or repairs under $500'. Sec. 15: written contract/work order required 'Prior to initiating home repair or remodeling work for over $1,000'. Sec. 20: consumer-rights pamphlet for all contracts; signed acknowledgment only for contracts 'over $1,000' ('$1,000 or under' = pamphlet, no acknowledgment).
What counts toward it: other: no licensing threshold. HRRA contract rules: written contract required for work 'over $1,000' (total cost incl. parts and materials); 'home repair and remodeling' definition excludes 'maintenance, service, or repairs under $500'.
""Home repair and remodeling" means the fixing, replacing, altering, converting, modernizing, improving, or making of an addition to any real property primarily designed or used as a residence other than maintenance, service, or repairs under $500."
What Savanna adds
The current Savanna City Code (amlegal, through Ord. 2376, Aug 26 2025) has no general business license; city licenses are activity-specific (auctioneer, transient merchant/itinerant vendor, taxicab, etc.), issued through the City Comptroller. Official city site is https://www.savanna-il.us/. Note: an out-of-town contractor could be caught by the transient merchant chapter only if selling goods from a temporary location - not typical handyman work.
Source link: codelibrary.amlegal.com · codelibrary.amlegal.com · savanna-il.us · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
None found on official sources
- Name: No general business license in the Savanna City Code; Title 3 licenses only specific activities (auctioneers, transient merchants/itinerant vendors, taxicabs, mobile home parks, raffles, liquor, etc.)
- Office: City Comptroller (issues licenses that the code does require)
"Title 3 Chapter 5 'Business Licensing' sections: 3-5-1 Auctioneers; 3-5-2 Transient Merchants; Itinerant Vendors; 3-5-4 Photographers (Rep.); 3-5-5 Taxicabs; 3-5-6 Mobile Home Parks; 3-5-7 Garage Sales; 3-5-8 Raffles. 3-1-2-1: unlawful to conduct a business 'for which a license is required by any provision of this code' without a license."
Source: codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked November 2, 2026
Jobs a handyman usually takes
Illinois has no general state license, so everyday jobs like these turn on local rules and trade licenses:
- Mounting TVs, shelves, mirrors and pictures
- Assembling furniture and flat-pack cabinets
- Patching drywall and interior painting
- Caulking, weatherstripping and sealing
- Repairing doors, locks, screens and windows
- Basic carpentry, trim and small repairs
- Pressure washing and gutter cleaning
Trade work in Illinois
Plumbing: IDPH licenses plumbers, plumbing contractors, apprentices, irrigation contractors (225 ILCS 320).
Source: dph.illinois.gov · idfpr.illinois.gov · checked November 2, 2026
When a permit changes the answer
Permits are local; HRRA pamphlet tells homeowners to check with local and county units of government.
Source: ilga.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice, so confirm with the office named before you take the job.
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