How much is a neck injury worth in Illinois workers' comp?
Illinois does not use a fixed number of weeks for a neck injury. Your doctor gives a whole-person impairment rating and the award follows the state formula (whole-person % × 500 weeks).
How a neck injury is paid in Illinois
Unscheduled; paid as a percentage of the person as a whole (500 weeks), with the same fractured-vertebra minimums.
Each week is paid at 60% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,084.66 a week.
What is different in Illinois
Instead of a percentage award, a worker who cannot return to the same occupation can seek a wage-differential award under 8(d)1; for injuries after 1 September 2011 it lasts until age 67 or 5 years after the award becomes final, whichever is later.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% whole-person rating | $12,000 | $18,000 | $24,000 |
| 10% whole-person rating | $24,000 | $36,000 | $48,000 |
| 15% whole-person rating | $36,000 | $54,000 | $72,000 |
| 25% whole-person rating | $60,000 | $90,000 | $120,000 |
Calculate your neck award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Illinois law sets. Many claims end in a negotiated settlement instead. Insurers usually start from the statutory award for your rating, then adjust for disputed ratings, future medical care, how long wage-loss benefits could run and the risk of a hearing. Knowing the statutory number for a neck injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Illinois vs. neighboring states
| State | How a neck injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | whole-person % × 500 weeks | — |
| Indiana | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Iowa | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Kentucky | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Missouri | whole-person % × 400 weeks | — |
| Wisconsin | whole-person % × 1000 weeks | — |
"Max for total loss" applies to body-part schedules at the top weekly rate. Compare all 50 states and D.C.
While you recover: temporary disability in Illinois
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $2,045.63 (2026-07-15 to 2027-01-14 (prior: $2,008.60 for 2026-01-15 to 2026-07-14; $1,974.73 for 2025-07-15 to 2026-01-14)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | Lesser of AWW or $400 (0 dependents), $460 (1), $520 (2), $580 (3), $600 (4+); based on 66.67% of $15 x 40 hrs |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | No fixed week limit in statute |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How much is a neck injury worth in Illinois workers' comp?
It depends on your whole-person impairment rating. Illinois pays whole-person % × 500 weeks; a 10% rating is worth up to $54,233.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a neck injury in Illinois?
Illinois does not publish an official average. The best benchmark is the statutory award for your rating: for example, a 10% whole-person rating at a $1,200 weekly wage works out to about $36,000. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Illinois in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $2,045.63 (2026-07-15 to 2027-01-14 (prior: $2,008.60 for 2026-01-15 to 2026-07-14; $1,974.73 for 2025-07-15 to 2026-01-14)).
Is there a waiting period in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
820 ILCS 305/8(b) (TTD), 305/8(d) and 305/8(e) (PPD schedule), 305/8.1b. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Illinois
Law and official sources
Includes secondary sources
Statute: 820 ILCS 305/8(b) (TTD), 305/8(d) and 305/8(e) (PPD schedule), 305/8.1b; 820 ILCS 305/8(d)1, 8(d)2, 8(e), 8.1b
- Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (official site)
- iwcc.illinois.gov/resources/resources-for/benefits.html
- ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/082003050K8.htm
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Illinois workers' compensation agency.
Estimate only. Your real award depends on your doctor's rating, your wage records, offsets and settlement terms. This page is general information, not legal advice.