Chicago has no hotel-specific living wage like Los Angeles. General minimum wage under MCC 1-24 reaches $16.20 per hour for large employers as of July 2024, indexed annually. Tipped hotel workers receive a separate, lower base wage plus tips under the same ordinance.
Unlike Los Angeles' LAMC 186.02, which sets a separate wage of $20.32 per hour rising to $30 by 2028 for hotel workers at properties with 60-plus rooms, Chicago has no industry-specific hotel wage floor. Chicago's general Minimum Wage Ordinance MCC 1-24 covers all employers operating in the city: $16.20 per hour for large employers (21-plus workers) effective July 1, 2024, and $16.20 (rising) for smaller employers, indexed annually each July to inflation. Tipped employees receive a separate minimum cash wage of approximately $11.02 per hour plus tips, with employer make-up if tips fall short. The Office of Labor Standards in BACP enforces. Cook County minimum wage ($14.05) applies in suburbs; Illinois minimum is $14.
Underpayment exposes employers to back wages, treble damages, civil penalties up to $1,000 per offense, retaliation penalties, and possible business license revocation under MCC 1-24-110.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chicago, IL
No Chicago-specific ordinance allocates division-fence costs between neighbors; the Illinois Fence Act (765 ILCS 130) applies, requiring adjoining landowners...
Chicago, IL
Chicago Zoning Ordinance 17-17-0309 lets fences encroach into required setbacks: a fence no more than 20% opaque up to 6 feet is allowed in front, side, and ...
Chicago, IL
Chicago Building Code Chapter 13-196 requires approved smoke alarms in every residential unit: at least one on each story (including basement), within 15 fee...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance specific to residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations. Landmark Commission approval is required only for perma...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance specific to residential holiday inflatables. Inflator-motor noise after hours is enforced under MCC Section 8-32 (noise), and sidewa...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance regulating residential holiday light display windows or brightness. Property maintenance complaints are handled under MCC Section 13...
See how Chicago's hotel living wage rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.