Illinois has three minimum wages that matter, depending on where you work: the state rate, the City of Chicago rate, and the Cook County rate for suburbs that follow the county law. In 2026 the state floor is $15.00 an hour, and both local rates went up on July 1.
At a glance
- Illinois (18 and older)
- $15.00 an hour, since January 1, 2025 [1]
- Illinois tipped workers
- $9.00 cash wage, plus tips up to $15 [1]
- Illinois workers under 18
- $13.00 until 650 hours in the year [2]
- Chicago (from July 1, 2026)
- $17.05; tipped $12.96 [3]
- Cook County (from July 1, 2026)
- $15.40; tipped $9.25 [4]
| Where you work | Standard | Tipped (cash wage) | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois statewide | $15.00 | $9.00 | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Illinois, under 18 (first 650 hours) | $13.00 | — | Jan 1, 2025 |
| City of Chicago (4+ employees) | $17.05 | $12.96 | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Cook County (outside Chicago, where it applies) | $15.40 | $9.25 | Jul 1, 2026 |
The statewide rate
Under the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, workers 18 and older must get at least $15.00 an hour [1]. That rate took effect on January 1, 2025 [2], and it’s still the rate in 2026: the state labor department lists no newer increase.
Tipped workers
Employers can count tips toward part of the wage. This is called a tip credit . In Illinois it can be up to 40%, so the lowest cash wage is $9.00 an hour [1][2]. Tips have to bring the worker to at least $15.00 for every hour. If they don’t, the employer pays the difference.
Workers under 18
Teens can be paid $13.00 an hour, but only until they’ve worked 650 hours for that employer in the calendar year. After that, the adult rate applies [2].
Chicago
Chicago’s rate goes up every July 1, by the rate of inflation or 2.5%, whichever is lower [3]. Since July 1, 2026:
- $17.05 an hour for employers with 4 or more employees.
- $12.96 an hour cash wage for tipped workers, such as restaurant servers. If wages plus tips don’t reach $17.05, the employer has to make up the difference [3].
Employers in the city have to post a notice of the current rate at work, and give workers a notice with their first paycheck and again each year around July 1 [3].
Suburban Cook County
Cook County has its own minimum wage ordinance. On July 1, 2026 it rose from $15.00 to $15.40 an hour, and from $9.00 to $9.25 for tipped workers [4].
If you’re paid less
Keep your own record of the hours you work and what you’re paid. Then:
- Anywhere in Illinois: contact the Illinois Department of Labor, which enforces the state law [1].
- In Chicago: call 311 or file a complaint with the city’s Office of Labor Standards [3].
- In suburban Cook County: file a complaint with the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, if your town hasn’t opted out [4].
In Chicago, retaliating against a worker for filing a complaint is prohibited [3].
Sources
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in Illinois in 2026?
$15.00 an hour for workers 18 and older. The rate reached $15 on January 1, 2025, and stayed there in 2026. Chicago and parts of Cook County set higher local rates.
What is the minimum wage in Chicago?
Since July 1, 2026, $17.05 an hour for employers with 4 or more employees, and $12.96 for tipped workers. If wages plus tips fall short of $17.05, the employer must make up the difference.
Can a teenager be paid less in Illinois?
Yes, for a while. Workers under 18 can be paid $13.00 an hour until they've worked 650 hours for that employer in the calendar year. After that, the full $15.00 applies.