Wage and hour rules for employees in Illinois — overtime, minimum wage, meal and rest breaks and the final paycheck — compared with federal law, with links to the official sources.
Illinois minimum wage
$15.00 per hour as of July 1, 2026 (federal: $7.25).
Federal law The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
Illinois meal breaks
At least 20 minutes, no later than 5 hours after the start of the work period, to employees who work 7 ½ continuous hours or more. Each hotel room attendant — those persons who clean or put guest rooms in order in a hotel or other establishment licensed for transient occupancy — shall receive one 30-minute meal period in each workday in which they work at least seven hours.
Federal law Federal law does not require meal breaks. A bona fide meal period (usually 30 minutes or more) when the employee is completely relieved from duty does not have to be paid.
Illinois rest breaks
Each hotel room attendant — those persons who clean or put guest rooms in order in a hotel or other establishment licensed for transient occupancy — shall receive a minimum of two 15-minute paid rest break periods in each workday in which they work at least seven hours.
Coverage: Applies to an establishment located in a county with a population greater than three million.
Federal law Federal law does not require rest breaks. Short breaks (usually 5 to 20 minutes), when offered, count as hours worked and must be paid.
Illinois final paycheck
Fired or laid off: At the time of separation if possible, but no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. Quit: Same rule: applies to all separated employees.
Citation: 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, Sec. 5)
Federal law Federal law does not require immediate payment of final wages; they are due by the next regular payday.
Same as federal law
- Overtime
- State law also requires overtime at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. Coverage and exemptions can differ from federal law.
Find your state labor department (U.S. Department of Labor directory). Data last reviewed September 28, 2026.