Minimum Wage in Illinois
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Illinois minimum wage is $14.00 per hour as of 2024, with annual increases scheduled through 2026.
How Illinois treats Minimum Wage
Illinois enacted a gradual minimum wage increase law that raised the rate to $14.00 per hour and plans further increases to reach $15.00 by 2026. The state applies this minimum wage uniformly across all workers, including tipped employees, who must receive the full minimum before tips are considered. Illinois also prohibits tip pooling arrangements that would reduce the employer's obligation to pay the minimum wage.
The general definition of Minimum Wage
The lowest hourly wage an employer is legally required to pay employees.
Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate that employers must pay workers by law. The federal minimum wage in the United States is currently $7.25 per hour, but many states and cities have set their own higher minimums. Employers cannot pay workers less than the applicable minimum wage, even if the worker agrees to it. The minimum wage applies to most employees, though some categories (like certain trainees or workers with disabilities) may have exceptions. Violations can result in lawsuits, penalties, and back-pay owed to employees.
Read the full Minimum Wage entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Illinois.