Whether you are an employer responsible for wages or a worker, you should be aware that the minimum wage is rising in the Chicago area as of July 1, 2024.
City of Chicago
The City’s Office of Labor Standards oversees implementation of the Minimum Wage Ordinance. which determines the minimum wage in Chicago. The minimum wage generally rises every July in the city.
Previously, Chicago’s minimum wage was $15.80 for employers with 21 or more employees (including all domestic workers, regardless of the number employed), and $15.00 for employers with 4 to 20 employees.
As of July 1st of this year, the Chicago minimum wage increases to $16.20 per hour for employers with 4 or more workers. The previous distinctions made between employers with 4 to 20 workers and those with 21 or more workers have been phased out. Now all employers with more than 4 workers generally pay the same wage.
Previously, Chicago’s minimum wage for tipped employees (such as restaurant servers) was $9.48 for employers with 21 or more employees and $9.00 for employers with 4 to 20 employees.
Now tipped workers will receive a minimum wage of $11.02 at employers with 4 or more workers. The previous distinctions based on employer size have also been abolished. An employer remains responsible, however, for making up the difference if a tipped worker’s wages plus tips do not equal at least the full minimum wage.
There are separate minimum wages for youth workers, both tipped and untipped. More information on Chicago's minimum wage requirements can be found here.
Cook County
Cook County is also governed by a Minimum Wage Ordinance. The Cook County minimum wage is increasing from $13.70 to $14.05 per hour. Tipped workers will continue to receive a minimum wage of $8.40. More information on Cook County's minimum wage requirements can be found here.
Although the city is located within Cook County, the county’s regulations do not apply to the City of Chicago, as it has its own regulations (see above).
State of Illinois
There is no change in the State of Illinois’ minimum wage at this time. It is remaining the same, at $14 per hour for most workers, and $8.40 for tipped workers. More information on Illinois’ minimum wage requirements can be found here.