Illinois Minimum Wage 2026: $15.00/hr

Illinois workers must be paid at least $15.00 an hour, $7.75 above the federal $7.25 minimum.

Data updated September 26, 2026

Key facts for Illinois

Minimum wage: $15.00/hr
In effect since: January 1, 2025
Tipped cash wage: $9.00/hr
Compared with federal: +$7.75 vs the federal $7.25
Overtime: 1.5x after 40 hrs/week

Source

Rule: Illinois minimum wage law
Published by: labor.illinois.gov
Last updated: September 26, 2026

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The short answer

Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00/hr in 2026, $7.75 above the federal $7.25 minimum , ranked #14 of 51 US jurisdictions. The tipped cash wage is $9.00/hr.

How the Illinois minimum wage works

In Illinois, the minimum wage is $15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2025. Illinois sets its own minimum wage, and a tip credit is allowed: the tipped cash wage is $9.00 per hour, with tips expected to bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage. Overtime is paid at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. This reflects a state overtime law.

Illinois reached $15.00 on January 1, 2025 and has no scheduled state increase. Tipped minimum cash wage is 60% of the state minimum ($9.00/hr). Chicago ($17.05/hr, tipped $12.96/hr) and Cook County ($15.40/hr, tipped $9.25/hr) set higher local rates, effective July 1, 2026.

How Illinois compares

State rate: $15.00/hr
Federal minimum: $7.25/hr
Difference: +$7.75 (+106.9%)
National rank: #14 of 51

Ranked by 2026 effective minimum wage across all 51 U.S. states and jurisdictions. Federal comparison source: U.S. Department of Labor.

Illinois overtime rules

Weekly overtime threshold: 40 hours (1.5x)
Governing law: State overtime law

Illinois requires overtime at 1.5x for hours over 40 per week under the Minimum Wage Law. It generally covers employers with 4 or more employees, which is broader than the FLSA.

Sources for this page

Illinois minimum wage — state labor department labor.illinois.gov
U.S. Department of Labor dol.gov

Minimum Wage · 5 min read Minimum Wage 2026: Federal Rate, All 50 States, and Your RightsThe federal minimum wage remains $7.25, unchanged since 2009. Check your state's 2026 minimum wage rate and find out what to do if you're being underpaid.