What is the minimum wage in Illinois in 2025? Here are the New Rates

Minimum wage in Illinois 2025: Starting January 1, 2025, Illinois has raised the minimum wage once again, continuing its plan to make wages better and fairer for everyone. The state wants to make sure that workers get paid enough for their time and effort, and this year’s change is part of that bigger goal.

The new rule says that anyone who is 18 or older must get at least $15.00 every hour they work. This is not just for big companies or certain industries this pay applies to most workers in Illinois, no matter where they work or who they work for. If someone works more than 40 hours in one week, the law says they must get time-and-a-half for those extra hours. That means they get $22.50 per hour for anything over 40 hours.

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Special Pay for Tipped and Young Workers

Tipped workers, like people who wait tables, serve drinks, or help at hotels, have different rules. Employers can pay them a lower hourly wage of $9.00. But here’s the thing if the tips those workers earn don’t add up to the regular minimum wage of $15.00 per hour, then the employer has to cover the difference. That rule makes sure that tipped workers don’t end up earning too little when tips are low.

Young workers also have a different wage. If someone is under 18 and works less than 650 hours in a year, they can be paid $13.00 per hour. These jobs are often after school or during summer break. But once that young worker crosses the 650-hour mark in a year, they must be paid the full $15.00 per hour just like older workers.

Other Conditions

Some workers with disabilities or those in special training programs might get paid less than minimum wage, but this is not forever. Illinois is working to end that system. In fact, starting December 31, 2029, the state will stop giving out special licenses that let employers pay less to people with disabilities. This is part of the state’s effort to treat all workers more equally and make sure everyone is paid fairly.

Worker Rights

Workers in Illinois also have the right to their proper pay no matter what their immigration status is or how big or small their employer is. If someone leaves their job, they must get their last paycheck on the next regular payday. That final check has to include any earned wages, vacation time, or bonuses they are owed.

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If workers think something is wrong with their pay or if they have questions, they can reach out to the Illinois Department of Labor. There are phone lines and websites where they can file a complaint or get help with their situation.