Cook County issues Notice to Minimum Wage Ordinance: Minimum Wage Reaches $15.00

Cook County—On December 2nd, 2024, the Cook County Commission on Human Rights (“the Commission”) issued a notice to employees regarding the Cook County Minimum Wage Ordinance (“MWO”).

Effective January 1, 2025, the Cook County minimum wage will increase to $15.00 for non-tipped employees and $9.00 for tipped employees. 

The MWO sets the lowest amount an employer must legally pay employees who work within the geographical boundaries of Cook County. Cook County’s minimum wage is determined by whichever is higher in any given year: the Federal minimum wage, Illinois State minimum wage, or a rate calculated by the County using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 

Cook County, in alignment with the State of Illinois’ Minimum Wage Law, supports this increase to $15.00 for non-tipped employees and $9.00 for tipped employees. This change reflects Cook County’s commitment to advancing health and wealth equity through labor protections that safeguard the County’s most vulnerable workers.

Employees are covered by the Cook County MWO if:

• They are over the age of 18 and work for an employer in Cook County for at least 2 hours in any two-week period, and
• The employer has four or more employees (or employs domestic workers), and
• The employer maintains a business facility in Cook County or is issued a business license by Cook County.

The Cook County Commission on Human Rights is the enforcement agency for the Cook County MWO. If you have any questions, please contact the Commission via email at human.rights@cookcountyil.gov or by phone at 312-603-1100. 

Employees who believe their employer is not paying the required minimum wage should first check if their municipality has opted out of the Cook County MWO. If the municipality has not opted out, employees can file a complaint with the Cook County Commission on Human Rights. Complaints can be filed using the Commission’s online complaint form. Translated complaint forms and additional information can be accessed on the Commission’s website. 

Ordinance No. 16-5768 (MWO) was passed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners on October 26, 2016.

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