Cook County Minimum Wage (2026)

$15.40 per hour · County ordinance effective 2026-07-01 +$0.40 vs IL state

At a glance

Current rate	$15.40/hour
Effective date	2026-07-01
Full-time annual	$32,032
Illinois state rate	$15.00 (local is higher — local applies)

Excludes the City of Chicago (separate ordinance). Tipped: $9.25/hr. Some municipalities have opted out of the county ordinance.

What is the minimum wage in Cook County?

$15.40 per hour since 2026-07-01. This is higher than the IL state minimum ($15.00), so the local rate applies for work performed in Cook County.

Does the Cook County rate apply to all employers?

Excludes the City of Chicago (separate ordinance). Tipped: $9.25/hr. Some municipalities have opted out of the county ordinance.

Which applies if city and state rates differ?

Employers must pay the highest of federal, state, and local rates for work performed in that jurisdiction.

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