Intro to Illinois Labor Laws

The state minimum wage in Illinois is $15.00 per hour: 

Some cities in Illinois have their own wage requirements that exceed the state-wide minimum wage. Employers with potentially impacted employees should review both state and local requirements. 

Below are the minimum wages in some of Illinois larger cities or localities that exceed the state rate: 

• Cook County(opens in a new tab) - $15 per hour 

• Chicago(opens in a new tab) - $16.20 per hour for employers with at least 4 employees

Please check the references for additional minimum wage requirements across localities.

References: 

• Illinois State Minimum Wage(opens in a new tab) 

• Minimum Wage Tracker(opens in a new tab)

Illinois follows the federal minimum exempt salary requirement of $684 per week, or $35,568 per year for most exemptions from minimum wage and overtime. 

References: Federal Minimum Exemption Threshold(opens in a new tab)

Employees in Illinois who work at least 7.5 hours per day must receive a 20-minute break meal break within the first five hours of work. 

References: One Day Rest In Seven Act(opens in a new tab)

Employers with 6+ employees must provide paid break time at an employee’s regular rate and a private (non-bathroom) space to express breast milk for up to one year after childbirth. Employers may not require use of accrued leave, and breaks must be provided as needed unless doing so creates an undue hardship.

References: Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act(opens in a new tab)