Cook County, IL Minimum Wage Increase

Effective July 1, 2026, the Cook County Minimum Wage for non-tipped workers will increase to $15.40 per hour and the minimum wage for tipped workers will increase to $9.25 per hour.  
 
Generally, the Minimum Wage Ordinance (MWO) requires all employers that are located in Cook County and gainfully employ any person(s) within the boundaries of the County for at least 2 hours per week to comply with the County minimum wage.

However, the MWO does not apply to all suburban cities, townships, and villages within Cook County. If a municipality has passed their own minimum wage, like the City of Chicago has done, then that municipality’s minimum wage applies to employers located within or doing business in the municipality. If the municipality has not enacted their own minimum wage, then the County’s MWO applies. 

The list of municipalities that do not follow the MWO changes frequently. If you are in Cook County, you should check with the local city, township, or village to confirm whether your municipality has adopted the MWO.