Illustrator: Move selected items to separate Layers

Well there is no direct way to have them as new layers at top level.

But what you can do is this:

1. Select the layer that contains the objects you want to move. (in image Layer 1)

2. While Layer 1 is selected press the panel menu button. Then click Release to Layers (Sequence).

3. This will create a sublayer for each object under Layer 1.

4. Select the new Layers (Layer 2, 3, 4) and drag them outside Layer 1 so they sit as top Layers.

Hope this helps you! Let me know if you have any questions.