Minimum Wage Preemption: Arlington Heights vs Chicago
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Arlington Heights, IL and Chicago, IL?
Arlington Heights and Chicago have similar restriction levels.
Arlington Heights, IL
Cook County
Cook County Ordinance 16-O-34 sets a county minimum wage above Illinois state, but roughly 70 suburbs opted out in 2017, creating a patchwork where rates vary by municipality.
View full Arlington Heights rules →Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago sets its own minimum wage under MCC Ch. 1-24, reaching $16.20 per hour in July 2024 with annual CPI indexing. The rate exceeds Illinois's state floor and applies separately from Cook County.
View full Chicago rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington Heights | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinance | Cook County 16-O-34 | - |
| 2024 minimum wage | $14.05 per hour | - |
| Tipped wage | $8.40 per hour | - |
| Suburbs opted out | Approximately 70 municipalities | - |
| Enforcement | Cook County Human Rights Commission | BACP Office of Labor Standards |
| Code chapter | - | MCC Ch. 1-24 |
| Standard rate (Jul 2024) | - | $16.20 per hour |
| Tipped rate | - | $11.02 plus tips |
| Annual adjustment | - | CPI-indexed, capped 2.5% |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington Heights FAQ
Does the Cook County minimum wage apply in my suburb?
Only if your municipality did not opt out. Roughly 70 suburbs opted out in 2017. Check your village or city ordinance, or contact Cook County Human Rights Commission to confirm coverage.
What if my employer pays less than the county wage?
File a complaint with the Cook County Commission on Human Rights or the Illinois Department of Labor. You may recover back wages, damages, and the employer faces civil penalties.
Chicago FAQ
Does the Chicago wage apply to part-time workers?
Yes. Any employee performing at least two hours of work in any two-week period inside Chicago is covered for those hours, regardless of where the employer is headquartered.
Is Chicago's wage separate from Cook County's?
Yes. Chicago opts out of the Cook County ordinance and enforces its own higher rate under MCC 1-24, with separate filing and complaint procedures through BACP.
Compare other topics
See how Arlington Heights and Chicago compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool