Statutory minimum wage in Illinois (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Illinois guarantees a minimum wage of $15.00 an hour for workers aged 18 and over, according to the Department of Labor. Employers of tipped staff may pay 60% of that rate, and sub-minimum licences exist for learners and some workers with disabilities.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $15.00 per hour [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | Employers of tipped employees may pay 60% of the minimum wage: $9.00 an hour, with tips making up the rest of the $15.00 minimum wage. [1] |
| Overtime payEmployees | 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours of work a week. [1] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | Chicago has its own higher minimum wage: from 1 July 2026 $17.05 an hour for employers with 4 or more employees ($12.96 for tipped workers), rising every 1 July. [2] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | Workers under 18 who work fewer than 650 hours in a calendar year may be paid $13.00 an hour; employers may also apply for licences to pay learners less. [1] |
Notes
- An employer where gratuities are paid may pay 60% of the minimum wage. Employers may apply for licences to pay sub-minimum rates to learners and to certain workers with physical and mental limitations. Some local governments set rates above the state minimum; the US Department of Labor page does not show these.
- No scheduled change was found on the department's page.
Sources
- Illinois Department of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Division: Minimum Wage Law (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection: Minimum Wage (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Illinois and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Yes | $15.00 per hour (age 18+) | Under 18 (<650 h/year): $13.00 | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Iowa | Yes | $7.25 per hour (or federal if higher) | An employer is not required to pay the state hourly wage until the employee has completed 90 calendar days of employment; before that the employer must pay at least $6.35 per hour. | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Indiana | Yes | $7.25 per hour | Employers may pay $4.25 per hour to employees under 20 years of age for the first 90 consecutive calendar days after the employee is initially employed by the employer. | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kentucky | Yes | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Michigan | Yes | $13.73 per hour | 85% under 18; $4.25 first 90 days under 20 | 1 January 2027 | $15.00 per hour |
| Missouri | Yes | $15.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Wisconsin | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | Under 20: $5.90 for first 90 days | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Illinois
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for 21+ within limits · Growing at home: No (medical patients only)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph (15 in alleys) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (initial licensing phase) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (permit, enrolled in driver education)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (permitted displays only)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Only with intent to use unlawfully · Locking or one-handed knives: Banned unless FOID holder or trade
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed (hands-free or one-button)
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, all seats · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, all seats
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.