Illinois · updated 2026-10
Illinois Overtime & Break Laws
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
Overtime
40h / week
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
1.5x after 40 hours/week under the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, which covers employers with 4 or more employees (excluding family members). No daily overtime.
Meal break
20 min
Yes: 20 minutes for shifts over 7.5 hours, usually unpaid. One Day Rest in Seven Act: at least 20 minutes for a shift of 7.5+ hours, starting no later than 5 hours into the shift, plus another 20 minutes for each additional 4.5 continuous hours. Does not apply to shifts under 7.5 hours; the statute doesn't say the meal is unpaid, so paid:false assumes a fully off-duty meal.
Rest breaks
Not required
Illinois law doesn't require rest breaks for adults. Short breaks an employer does give (5–20 minutes) must be paid under federal rules.
Minimum wage
$15.00
$15.00 an hour (since 2025-01-01). Tipped $9.00 (60%); under-18 working under 650 hours/year $13.00. Chicago $17.05 (tipped $12.96) and suburban Cook County $15.40 (tipped $9.25) from 2026-07-01.
Illinois time card
| Day | Clock in | Break min | Clock out | Hours |
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Illinois pay and break questions
When does overtime start in Illinois?
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. 1.5x after 40 hours/week under the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, which covers employers with 4 or more employees (excluding family members). No daily overtime.
Are lunch breaks required in Illinois?
Yes: 20 minutes for shifts over 7.5 hours, usually unpaid. One Day Rest in Seven Act: at least 20 minutes for a shift of 7.5+ hours, starting no later than 5 hours into the shift, plus another 20 minutes for each additional 4.5 continuous hours. Does not apply to shifts under 7.5 hours; the statute doesn't say the meal is unpaid, so paid:false assumes a fully off-duty meal.
Are rest breaks required in Illinois?
Illinois law doesn't require rest breaks for adults. Short breaks an employer does give (5–20 minutes) must be paid under federal rules.
What is the minimum wage in Illinois?
$15.00 an hour (since 2025-01-01). Tipped $9.00 (60%); under-18 working under 650 hours/year $13.00. Chicago $17.05 (tipped $12.96) and suburban Cook County $15.40 (tipped $9.25) from 2026-07-01.
Workers under 18 in Illinois
Teens have extra limits on hours and times of day, and may need a work permit. See Illinois teen work rules and which employers hire at 14 and 15.
Questions or a complaint? Contact the Illinois Department of Labor.