Illinois Minimum Wage & Labor Laws (2026)
In 2026, the Illinois minimum wage is $15.00/hour. Overtime is 1.5× the regular rate over 40 hours a week. Below are the wage, overtime, final-paycheck and break rules, a calculator pre-set to Illinois, and how to file a wage claim if you're owed money.
- Overtime
- 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Illinois follows the federal FLSA weekly rule.
- Tipped pay
- $9.00/hr cash. Tipped cash wage is 60% of the state minimum.
- Final paycheck
- Fired: Immediately if possible; no later than the next payday. Quit: Immediately if possible; no later than the next payday.
- Meal & rest breaks
- Meal: 20-min unpaid meal for shifts of 7.5+ hrs (begun within first 5 hrs). Rest: No state requirement (ODRISA is a day-off law, not a rest-break law).
Illinois pay & overtime calculator
Pre-set to Illinois. Enter your rate and hours.
Your hours
Your pay this week
OT $30.00/hrIllinois follows the FLSA weekly rule: 1.5× the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
Illinois figures are current for 2026 and compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor and Illinois's labor department. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and industry rules vary, so confirm with your state labor department before relying on this for payroll or a legal decision.
Get an email when the Illinois minimum wage changes
No change is announced yet. We'll email you when one is, with the date and the source.
How to file a wage claim in Illinois
To recover unpaid wages in Illinois, file with Illinois Dept. of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Division. Federal law lets you claim up to 2 years of back pay (3 if the violation was willful), plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.
- Agency
- Illinois Dept. of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Division. File a wage claim
- Federal window
- 2 years of back pay, or 3 if the violation was willful, plus equal liquidated damages.
- Illinois adds
- Illinois adds 5% per month in damages on unpaid wages.
Step by step
- 1Gather your records
Collect pay stubs, time records, schedules and any texts about hours. In Illinois, your own honest records can carry a claim if the employer's are missing.
- 2Work out what you're owed
The back-pay estimator adds up the unpaid wages and how far back you can recover them.
- 3Send a written demand
Many disputes settle after a dated letter that states the amount owed and the deadline you're giving the employer to pay.
- 4File with Illinois Dept. of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Division
If the employer doesn't pay, file a wage claim with the agency below. Filing is free and you don't need a lawyer.
- 5Mind the deadline
Federal claims must be filed within 2 years (3 if willful). Your state may set a shorter deadline for its own process, so don't wait.
Illinois wage claim questions
Who do I file an unpaid-wage claim with in Illinois?
Illinois Dept. of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Division. You can also sue in court, often with an employment attorney.
How far back can I recover unpaid wages in Illinois?
Federal law (FLSA) allows 2 years of back pay, or 3 years for a willful violation, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages. Illinois adds 5% per month in damages on unpaid wages.
Can my employer retaliate for filing a wage claim in Illinois?
No. Federal and state law prohibit firing, demoting or punishing you for asserting your right to be paid. Retaliation is a separate violation you can also claim.
Cities in Illinois with a higher minimum wage
These Illinois localities set a local minimum above the state's $15.00/hr: