An object of the invention is to provide an illumination device that can make it easy to detect a disorder of a light emitting element, and a liquid crystal display apparatus including the illumination device. Each light emitting element array (S) is constituted by light emitting elements (T) which are connected in series. To the light emitting elements (T) are individually connected in parallel current bypass elements (U) that are changed from a disconnected state where no current flows to a connected state where current flows when a predetermined voltage higher than that applied to the light emitting elements in an lighting state is applied thereto. Each power source unit (P) is connected to each light emitting element array (S) in series, and supplies constant current to each light emitting element (T). Terminal units for voltage detection (11) are connected to an anode (A) of each light emitting element (T).