Illinois HR laws for employers (2026)
The Illinois rules employers ask about most: minimum wage, overtime, final pay, unused vacation, paid sick leave and breaks.
Illinois employment law at a glance
| Minimum wage | $15.00 per hour |
|---|---|
| Tipped cash wage | $9.00 per hour |
| Overtime | No daily overtime. Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek (employers with 4+ employees). |
| Final pay when fired | At separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. |
| Final pay when an employee quits | At separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. |
| Unused vacation / PTO at separation | Required. Earned, unused vacation must be paid at the final rate, and policies cannot forfeit earned vacation at separation (except under a collective bargaining agreement). |
| Paid sick leave | Yes, under the Paid Leave for All Workers Act: 1 hour per 40 hours worked, at least 40 hours a year, usable for any reason. Employers covered by a local ordinance (such as Chicago or Cook County) follow that ordinance instead. |
| Meal breaks | At least 20 minutes for shifts of 7.5+ continuous hours, starting within the first 5 hours. Another 20 minutes for each additional 4.5 hours. |
| Rest breaks | No general requirement. Hotel room attendants in Cook County get two paid 15-minute breaks on shifts of 7+ hours. |
Minimum wage note: $15.00 has applied since Jan 1, 2025, and the statute schedules no further increase. Workers under 18 who have worked 650 hours or fewer in the year can be paid $13.00. Chicago and Cook County have higher local rates.
Other Illinois rules to know
- Pay transparency: employers with 15+ employees must include the pay scale and benefits in job postings (since Jan 1, 2025).
- Paid Leave for All Workers Act leave does not have to be paid out at separation unless the employer puts it in a PTO or vacation bank.
Free Illinois HR forms
Have a Illinois HR question?
Ask the AskHrAI assistant and get an answer grounded in state and federal rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Illinois in 2026?
$15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2025. $15.00 has applied since Jan 1, 2025, and the statute schedules no further increase. Workers under 18 who have worked 650 hours or fewer in the year can be paid $13.00. Chicago and Cook County have higher local rates.
When is a final paycheck due in Illinois?
If the employer ends employment: At separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. If the employee quits: At separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday.
Does Illinois require paying out unused vacation?
Required. Earned, unused vacation must be paid at the final rate, and policies cannot forfeit earned vacation at separation (except under a collective bargaining agreement).
Is paid sick leave required in Illinois?
Yes, under the Paid Leave for All Workers Act: 1 hour per 40 hours worked, at least 40 hours a year, usable for any reason. Employers covered by a local ordinance (such as Chicago or Cook County) follow that ordinance instead.
Sources
- 820 ILCS 105/4 (Minimum Wage Law)
- 820 ILCS 115/5 (Wage Payment and Collection Act - final compensation)
- 820 ILCS 192 (Paid Leave for All Workers Act)
- 820 ILCS 140/3 (One Day Rest in Seven Act - meal periods)
- Illinois DOL press release - Pay transparency effective Jan 1, 2025
- US DOL - State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026)
- US DOL - State Rest Period Requirements
- HR Source - July 1, 2026 Chicago wage changes (secondary)
- ABC7 Chicago - Chicago, Cook County minimum wage increases (secondary)
HR laws in other states
This page is general information for employers, not legal advice. Employment laws change and can vary by city and county. Confirm details with the state labor department or an employment attorney. Read our disclaimer.