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 Des Plaines's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.