Legal Question in Consumer Law in Illinois

Unfortunately, unless you have a written agreement which specifies when the work will be completed, the best answer I can give you is, he is allowed a "reasonable" time. What is reasonable depends on what the work is, and if you have to go to court over it, what the judge believes is reasonable. If this work is for your home, and is over $1,000, the contractor is required to provide you with a written agreement, so this might give you some traction. I doubt he would be found liable for paying another contractor, unless, you have already paid the first contractor, and that contractor has violated a term of the written agreement with you. I would suggest sending written notice to the contractor advising him of your plans. This is no guarantee that the work will be completed, or that the a judge would side with you, but it would certainly be helpful in demonstrating to a judge that you acted reasonably and gave the contractor every opportunity to complete the work.