Illinois Minimum Wage

The Illinois minimum wage for 2026 and 2027, the tipped and youth rates, local city and county minimums, and how the rate is set each year. Every figure links to its official source below.

Illinois minimum wage, 2026 and 2027

Rate	2026 (now)	2027
Standard minimum wage	$15.00	$15.00
Tipped employees (cash wage) 60% of the adult rate, plus tips.	$9.00	$9.00
Workers under 18 (under 650 hours a year)	$13.00	Not yet announced

Current rate in effect since January 1, 2025; next statewide change: the rate stays at $15.00 in 2027.

Tipped workers

An employer whose employees receive tips may pay 60% of the minimum wage, which is $9.00 an hour, as long as tips bring the employee up to the full rate.

Minors, trainees and other rates

Workers under 18 may be paid $13.00 an hour for fewer than 650 hours worked for an employer in a calendar year; past 650 hours they must get the full rate.

Employees over 18 who do not receive tips may be paid $14.50 for their first 90 days with an employer. Employers can also apply for licenses to pay lower rates to learners.

Local minimum wages in Illinois

Chicago and Cook County set their own, higher minimum wages, which step up each July 1.

City or county	Current rate	Next rate	Notes
Chicago	$17.05since July 1, 2026	Not yet announcedJuly 1, 2027	Employers with 4 or more employees. Tipped: $12.96.
Cook County (suburbs without their own rate)	$15.40since July 1, 2026	Not yet announcedJuly 1, 2027	Tipped: $9.25. Does not apply in Chicago or in municipalities that opted out.

How the Illinois minimum wage is set

The Illinois rate for workers 18 and older has been $15.00 since January 1, 2025. The Department of Labor still lists $15.00 as the adult rate and no increase has been enacted for 2027.

What does $15.00 an hour leave you after tax in Illinois? Run it through the paycheck calculator.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in Illinois in 2026?

$15.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2025.

What will the Illinois minimum wage be in 2027?

The statewide rate stays at $15.00 in 2027.

What is the tipped minimum wage in Illinois?

An employer whose employees receive tips may pay 60% of the minimum wage, which is $9.00 an hour, as long as tips bring the employee up to the full rate.

Can minors be paid less than the minimum wage in Illinois?

Workers under 18 may be paid $13.00 an hour for fewer than 650 hours worked for an employer in a calendar year; past 650 hours they must get the full rate. Employees over 18 who do not receive tips may be paid $14.50 for their first 90 days with an employer. Employers can also apply for licenses to pay lower rates to learners.

How is the Illinois minimum wage adjusted each year?

The Illinois rate for workers 18 and older has been $15.00 since January 1, 2025. The Department of Labor still lists $15.00 as the adult rate and no increase has been enacted for 2027.

Do cities in Illinois have a higher minimum wage?

Chicago and Cook County set their own, higher minimum wages, which step up each July 1.

Minimum wage in other states

Every state side by side: minimum wage by state 2026 and minimum wage by state 2027.

California Minimum Wage

$16.90 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Florida Minimum Wage

$15.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Ohio Minimum Wage

$11.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Michigan Minimum Wage

$13.73 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Arizona Minimum Wage

$15.15 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Colorado Minimum Wage

$15.16 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Washington Minimum Wage

$17.13 now; tipped, youth and local rates.