Illinois has more broker-only companies than most states
MovePricer compiled Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) licensing data as of October 17, 2026. It shows 444 household-goods companies with Illinois business addresses that hold active federal interstate authority. Of those, 49 (11%) are brokers only. A broker-only company has no trucks. It arranges your move and hands it to a separate company. The other 395 are licensed household-goods carriers, meaning companies that haul the goods themselves.
Nationally, 655 of 9,128 licensed household-goods companies (7.2%) are broker-only. That gives Illinois the 4th-highest broker share of 49 states ranked.
Using a broker is legal and regulated. But it changes who you are dealing with, and many complaints start there.
How a moving broker works
FMCSA's consumer booklet explains the difference. A household-goods broker arranges the transportation of your shipment but does not haul it over the road; that long-distance leg is called line-haul. A mover actually transports your goods. Federal rules say a broker doesn't own the trucks, must find an authorized mover to do the job, and must not present itself as a mover.
Why the price and the company can change after you book
The company you book with may not be the company whose crew shows up. You will be dealing with that second company on moving day, and its name will be on the paperwork.
The price can change too. Under FMCSA rules, a broker generally can't give you an estimate unless it has a written agreement with the mover. If it gives you one without that agreement, the estimate may not be binding, and you may have to pay whatever the mover actually charges.
The Illinois Attorney General's moving guide says that if your charges come to more than 110% of the written estimate, the mover must give you 30 days to pay the rest. For decades FMCSA has listed shipments held hostage among the most common moving complaints, along with overcharges and loss or damage.
What federal rules require brokers to do
- Say what they are. Brokers must show their USDOT and MC numbers in ads and on their websites. They must also state clearly that they are brokers and will arrange your move, not carry it themselves.
- Name the carriers. Brokers must give every potential customer a list of all the authorized movers they use, with each mover's USDOT and MC numbers. They must also give a written statement that they are not a motor carrier.
- Give written estimates. Any estimate from a broker must be in writing. It must be based on a survey of your belongings done by the mover, in person or by video, unless you waive the survey in writing. It must be backed by a signed agreement with that mover. A verbal quote is not an estimate.
- Hand over the "Ready to Move?" brochure. When they give you an estimate, brokers must provide FMCSA's "Ready to Move?" brochure and the booklet "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move." Their websites must link to the brochure.
- Publish cancellation terms. Brokers must publish their cancellation policies, including how deposits and refunds work.
The Illinois picture
The Chicago area has a long history with these problems. In 2012, a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee report focused on Chicago-area moving companies with many consumer complaints, including holding shipments hostage until customers paid more. FMCSA then made those companies the first target of its new Moving Fraud Task Force, which led to enforcement actions.
The warnings continue. In June 2026, ABC7 Chicago reported that the Better Business Bureau was warning that scammers use AI to make fake moving companies look more convincing. Consumers told the BBB about paying deposits to movers who never showed up, and about belongings held until they paid more.
Moves that stay within Illinois fall under state rules. Movers doing those moves must be licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). You can check a mover's license and complaint count on the ICC website or by calling 217-782-6448. ICC police officers patrol and issue citations for violations such as operating without a household-goods license. For disputes over moves within Illinois, the ICC offers a mediation service. Moves to another state require FMCSA registration.
Our search found no recent Illinois Attorney General lawsuit aimed specifically at a moving broker. The Attorney General's office does publish moving guidance for consumers.
How to tell a broker from a mover before you pay a deposit
- Ask directly. FMCSA's booklet tells consumers to ask whether the person they're talking to works for the actual mover or for a broker.
- Check the authority type. Look up the company's USDOT number and see whether it is registered as a carrier, a broker or both.
- Get the carrier's name in writing. If you're dealing with a broker, ask for the name, USDOT number and MC number of the mover that will haul your goods. Check that company too.
- Insist on a written estimate based on a survey. Be wary of a price given over the phone without anyone seeing your belongings.
- Watch for mismatched names. The name on the truck, the estimate and the bill of lading (your contract with the mover) should match the company you checked.
This article is not legal advice. For questions about your rights, contact FMCSA's Protect Your Move or the Illinois Attorney General.
How to check a mover before you sign
Look up any mover's or broker's USDOT record for free at movepricer.com/check. It shows whether the company is licensed as a carrier or a broker, and whether its authority is active. For moves within Illinois, also check the license on the Illinois Commerce Commission website. You can report problems to FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238 and to the Illinois Attorney General.