What’s the minimum wage for servers in Illinois?

Illinois at a glance

As of the U.S. Department of Labor table revised July 1, 2026. Your city may set a higher rate.

What’s different in Illinois

Illinois writes its tip credit as a share of the minimum rather than a flat amount. DOL lists it as 40% of the applicable minimum wage, which works out to $6.00 today. The federal version, by contrast, is a fixed dollar amount on top of a $2.13 cash wage.

Coverage has a size limit. The $15.00 rate applies to employers with 4 or more employees, excluding family members. At a tiny family restaurant, you may fall outside the state law, and your protection would come from the federal rules instead.

DOL also notes that some local governments set higher minimums than their state. If you work in a city with its own ordinance, the local rate can replace the $15.00 and $9.00 figures on your stub, so ask which one your employer uses.

Example shift

Say you work 6 hours and walk out with $120 in tips (illustrative numbers; use your own).

1. Wages: $9.00 × 6 = $54.00.
2. With tips: $54.00 + $120 = $174.00, or $29.00 an hour.
3. If your tips for the week don’t bring you to $15.00 an hour, federal law says your employer has to make up the difference.

Check your own week: Am I being paid at least minimum wage?