Illinois Minimum Wage & Local Back Pay Calculator
Audit statutory minimum wages across Illinois ($15.00 statewide, $17.05 in Chicago, and $15.40 in Cook County as of July 1, 2026), split multi-rate work periods, and check municipal opt-out applicability.
Illinois Minimum Wage Legal Framework & Local Preemption
Illinois wage regulation is anchored by the Illinois Minimum Wage Law (820 ILCS 105/1 et seq.), which reached the landmark $15.00 per hour milestone on January 1, 2025. Unlike states with strict statewide preemption (such as Florida and Texas), the Illinois Supreme Court and General Assembly permit home-rule municipalities and counties to enact higher local minimum wages.
Illinois Statewide
$15.00/hr
820 ILCS 105/4(a)(1) standard rate across all Illinois non-opted-out territory.
City of Chicago
$17.05/hr
Chicago MCC § 6-105-020 (effective July 1, 2026; $16.60 prior to July 1).
Cook County (Covered)
$15.40/hr
Cook County Code § 42-13 (effective July 1, 2026 in non-opted-out territory).
Cook County Municipal Opt-Outs & Coverage Rules
More than 80 suburban Cook County municipalities (including Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Palatine, Mount Prospect, Tinley Park, and Orland Park) have enacted local home-rule ordinances opting out of the Cook County Minimum Wage Ordinance. In any opted-out municipality, the Cook County wage rate does not apply, and the Illinois state minimum wage of $15.00 per hour governs. Our calculator distinguishes between covered, opted-out, and unverified Cook County territories to prevent false compliance certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a pay period spans July 1?
Because Chicago and Cook County wage increases take effect on July 1, employers must pay the pre-July 1 rate for hours worked through June 30, and the new rate for hours worked on or after July 1. Our calculator provides a dedicated split-workweek breakdown mode to audit multi-period compliance without guessing.
What are the statutory penalties for unpaid minimum wages in Illinois?
Under 820 ILCS 105/12, an employer who pays below the statutory minimum wage is liable for the full unpaid wage shortfall, triple damages (300% statutory punitive damages), and a 5% monthly penalty on unpaid amounts payable to the employee, plus reasonable attorney fees and costs.