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Electrical Panel Upgrade · Illinois
A panel upgrade replaces your breaker panel, and often the service entrance, so the home can safely carry more load: an EV charger, heat pump, induction range or addition. It always needs a permit, and usually needs the utility to disconnect and reconnect power.
Chicago-area housing includes many pre-1950 two-flats and bungalows, and Chicago requires conduit in most new wiring.
Across the Midwest, homes deal with cold winters, severe thunderstorms and tornado season. Permit offices, utilities and housing stock differ by city, which affects how electrical panel upgrade is planned and scheduled. These local guides cover the Illinois cities where we have written specific notes.
Many Chicago two-flats have two small services in the basement, sometimes still on fuses, and adding central air, a basement unit or an EV charger often triggers an upgrade. The work must meet the Chicago Electrical Code, which differs from the national code used in most of Illinois, and it is done by a licensed electrical contractor registered with the city under a Department of Buildings permit.
Utility: ComEd
Older Peoria homes on the bluffs often have 60 amp services, while mid-century houses on the north side commonly have 100 amp panels with no open spaces. Adding central air, a heat pump, a modern kitchen or an EV charger usually means an upgrade.
Utility: Ameren Illinois
Mid-century homes on Rockford's east side and older houses near downtown often have 60 or 100 amp services that are full, and adding central air, a basement finish or an EV charger usually means an upgrade. Converted apartment houses may have several small services side by side.
Utility: ComEd
1. Load calculation
The electrician sizes the service from your existing and planned loads.
2. Permit and utility coordination
The permit is pulled and the utility schedules disconnect and reconnect.
3. Install the panel and service parts
New panel, breakers, grounding and bonding, and service conductors or meter base if needed.
4. Inspection
The local inspector checks the work before or after power is restored, depending on the jurisdiction.
Electricians set their own prices; local permit fees and utility requirements add to these factors.
Permits come from the city or county where the home is. For example: Chicago: Electrical permits in Chicago are issued by the Department of Buildings and the work must be done by a licensed electrical contractor registered with the city. Peoria: Electrical permits inside the city come from the City of Peoria's community development department. Rockford: Electrical permits inside the city come from the City of Rockford's construction services; Loves Park, Machesney Park and Winnebago County issue their own.
Chicago: ComEd. Peoria: Ameren Illinois. Rockford: ComEd.
If you have 100 amps or less and are adding an EV charger, heat pump or electric range, or your panel is a Federal Pacific, Zinsco or fuse box, ask an electrician for a load calculation.
Usually most of one working day, depending on the scope and how quickly the utility reconnects.
Yes, in essentially every US jurisdiction. The electrician pulls it and schedules the inspection.
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