Minimum Wage/Illinois/Chicago
Chicago Minimum Wage 2026
The Chicago rate, tipped rules, and how it compares with the Illinois state minimum. Every figure below is checked against primary sources.
| Tipped minimum | $12.96 / hour (frozen until July 1, 2028 under the paused tipped-wage phaseout) |
|---|---|
| Illinois state minimum | $15.00 / hour (tipped $9.00) |
Against the state minimum
Hourly minimums compared
Hourly minimum wage as verified August 18, 2026. Bars start at $0.
Nearby rates and notes
Suburban Cook County has its own ordinance: $15.40 / hour, tipped $9.25 (effective July 1, 2026). Some municipalities have opted out and follow the Illinois state rate instead.
Chicago adjusts its rate annually on July 1.
Rate record
What has taken effect, what we have checked, and what is coming next.
July 1, 2026
Chicago minimum in effect: $17.05 / hour (single rate for employers with 4+ employees)
August 18, 2026
Every figure on this page re-verified against the primary sources below.Latest check
Jul 1, 2027
Next scheduled annual adjustment (Chicago adjusts each July 1).
Jul 1, 2028
Next scheduled tipped-rate increase under the paused phaseout.
Questions employers ask
What is the minimum wage in Chicago in 2026?
$17.05 per hour as of July 1, 2026, a single rate for employers with 4 or more employees. That is above the Illinois state minimum of $15.00.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Chicago in 2026?
$12.96 per hour as of July 1, 2026. The tipped-wage phaseout is paused, so this rate is frozen until July 1, 2028.
Do Chicago suburbs follow the Chicago minimum wage?
No. Suburban Cook County has its own ordinance ($15.40, tipped $9.25, effective July 1, 2026), and municipalities that opted out of the county ordinance follow the Illinois state rate of $15.00.
When does Chicago's minimum wage change next?
Chicago adjusts its rate annually on July 1, so the next scheduled change is July 1, 2027. The tipped rate stays frozen until July 1, 2028.
Sources and caveats
Get notified when Chicago changes its rate
State employment law changes, in plain English, verified against primary sources.
State Law Briefing publishes legal information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm and reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a licensed employment attorney for guidance specific to your organization.