{"id":373164,"date":"2019-04-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-04-19T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-wage-and-hour-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-06-15T11:32:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T16:32:35","slug":"illinois-wage-and-hour-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-wage-and-hour-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Wage and Hour Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Illinois Wage and Hour Laws<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Illinois<\/span> wage and hour laws are state employment regulations that set minimum wage<\/span> rates<\/span>, require overtime pay<\/span>, mandate meal breaks<\/span>, and establish other workplace protections for most workers. These laws apply to full-time, part-time, and hourly employees and work alongside federal protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act<\/span> (FLSA<\/span>). Understanding these rights helps Illinois<\/span> workers protect themselves from wage theft and unfair treatment.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The state of <\/span>Illinois<\/span> has strong employment laws<\/span> that cover minimum wage<\/span>, overtime pay<\/span>, meal breaks<\/span>, final pay, and more. These rules apply to most workers, whether you are full\u2011time, part\u2011time, or paid hourly. They also work in accordance with federal law<\/span>, including the Fair Labor Standards Act<\/span> (FLSA<\/span>)<\/a>. Understanding your rights as an Illinois<\/span> worker is critical to protecting yourself from unfair treatment.<\/p>\n

This article explores Illinois<\/span>\u2019 main wage and hour laws and what they mean for you. We review key federal protections<\/a> that may also apply to Illinois<\/span> workers. In addition, we\u2019ll provide you with tips for spotting issues and resources for taking action.<\/p>\n

If you suspect you\u2019ve been treated or paid unfairly as a member of Illinois<\/span>\u2019 workforce, consider touching base with an employment attorney<\/a>. While doing so doesn\u2019t have to mean filing a lawsuit, it can help you understand your rights and options for recourse. That way, you can make informed decisions about the best way to proceed.<\/p>\n

For now, let\u2019s start with some minimum wage<\/span> basics.<\/p>\n

Illinois<\/span> Minimum Wage<\/span> Requirements<\/h2>\n

Illinois<\/span> has its own minimum wage<\/span> law<\/span><\/a> that sets the state’s\u00a0minimum wage<\/span>, which can be increased through the legislative process. Local ordinances may also set their own minimum wages<\/span>\u00a0at or above the state\u2019s rates. Currently, only Chicago<\/span> and Cook County<\/span> do so. Workers in Illinois<\/span> are entitled to the highest applicable minimum wage<\/span> rate<\/span> among federal, state, and local laws, unless they fall into an exempt category.<\/p>\n

Subminimum wage<\/span><\/a> is only allowed for employees working under learner certificates and existing subminimum wage<\/span> certificates. Illinois<\/span> stopped issuing subminimum-wage<\/span>\u00a0certificates for people with disabilities in 2021 and will phase them out entirely by 2029.<\/p>\n

State Minimum Wage<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 2025, Illinois<\/span> increased the adult minimum wage<\/span><\/a> to $15 per hour and the youth minimum wage<\/span> to $13 per hour. Both rates remain the same in 2026. The youth rate applies to workers under 18 years of age<\/span> who work fewer than 650 hours per calendar year<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Some employees receive gratuities<\/span> (tips). Illinois<\/span> sets the\u00a0minimum wage<\/span>\u00a0for tipped workers through a tip credit system. Under the Illinois<\/span> Minimum Wage<\/span> Law<\/span><\/a>, employers may pay tipped employees 60% of the full minimum wage<\/span> as their cash wage. In 2026, that\u2019s 60% of $15 for adult tipped employees and 60% of $13 for youth tipped employees who work fewer than 650 hours per calendar year<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The remaining 40% is the employer tip credit. If this amount isn\u2019t made up through tips, the employer must pay the difference.<\/p>\n

Employees exempt from Illinois<\/span>\u2019s minimum wage<\/span> requirements include:<\/p>\n