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.
The Cook County Minimum Wage Ordinance was adopted in 2016 and tied to CPI. As of 2024 the rate is $14.05 per hour for non-tipped workers and $8.40 for tipped workers in covered municipalities. Illinois home-rule law allowed approximately 70 suburbs (Barrington, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, Schaumburg, Tinley Park, others) to opt out by passing local ordinances rejecting the county wage. Workers in opt-out cities default to the Illinois state minimum ($14.00 in 2024, $15.00 effective 2025). Unincorporated Cook County and opt-in municipalities follow the county rate, enforced by the Cook County Commission on Human Rights.
Employers in covered municipalities who underpay face back-wage liability, civil penalties up to $500 per violation, and complaints filed with the Cook County Commission on Human Rights enforcement office.
See how Arlington Heights's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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