Illinois Minimum Wage 2026
Current minimum wage, scheduled increases, tipped worker rules, and political context for Illinois’s wage policy in 2026.
$15.00
Current Minimum Wage
$15.50 (est.)
Projected 2026 Rate
$9.00
Tipped Worker Rate
CPI-indexed from 2024
Scheduled Increases
Minimum Wage Overview
Illinois passed legislation in 2019 to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2025 with CPI indexing. Chicago has a higher local minimum. Illinois was one of the first Midwestern states to reach $15, a significant policy achievement.
Wage Policy Details
| Policy | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Minimum Wage | $15.00/hour |
| Tipped Worker Minimum | $9.00/hour |
| Scheduled Increases | CPI-indexed from 2024 |
| Projected 2026 Rate | $15.50 (est.)/hour |
| Legislative Source | SB 1 (2019) |
Political Context
Illinois Democrats under Governor Pritzker passed the $15 minimum wage. Republicans criticized the impact on small businesses in downstate Illinois where costs of living are much lower than Chicago. The rural-urban wage divide is a significant political issue.