{"id":6725,"date":"2012-05-02T19:14:00","date_gmt":"2012-05-03T00:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=6725"},"modified":"2026-01-06T09:23:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T14:23:42","slug":"illinois-employment-law","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/illinois-employment-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Illinois employment law overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-efae2095 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8e1436f2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"\">by <strong>The<\/strong> <strong>Brightmine Editorial Team<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Illinois has many laws that provide greater protections to employees than federal law, including pregnancy accommodation rights, a higher minimum wage and additional leave requirements, but generally follows federal law with respect to topics such as overtime pay, jury duty leave and occupational safety and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Select Illinois employment requirements are summarized below to help an employer understand the range of employment laws affecting the employer-employee relationship in the state. An employer must <a href=\"\/us\/solutions\/hr-compliance\/\">comply<\/a> with both federal and state law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">An employer must also comply with applicable municipal law obligations affecting the employment relationship, in addition to complying with state and federal requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"eeo-diversity-employee-relations\">EEO, diversity and employee relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Key Illinois requirements impacting EEO, diversity and employee relations are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fair-employment-practices-il\">Fair employment practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) prohibits private employers with one or more employees from discriminating on the basis of protected characteristics including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">Sex<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Age (40 years of age or older)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Race<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Color<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Religion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Arrest record<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Expunged and concealed convictions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Marital status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Housing status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Sexual orientation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Citizenship status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">National origin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Ancestry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Military status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Unfavorable military discharge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Disability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Protective order status<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Equal pay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Illinois provides equal pay protections under multiple laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Illinois Equal Pay Act (EPA) generally provides that an employer may not discriminate between employees by paying wages to a female, or an African-American employee, at a rate less than the rate at which the employer pays wages to another employee who is not a female, or who is not an African-American, for the same or substantially similar work on jobs the performance of which requires substantially similar skill, effort, and responsibility, and which are performed under similar working conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">However, an employer may base pay differences on legitimate nondiscriminatory factors, including a seniority system, a merit system, a system measuring earnings based on quality or quantity of production, or any other factor other than sex or race, provided that the factor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">Is not based on or derived from a differential in compensation based on sex or race or another protected characteristic;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Is job-related and consistent with a business necessity; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Accounts for the differential.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Minimum Wage Law provides similar protections as the Illinois EPA, but prohibits wage discrimination on the basis of sex and mental or physical handicap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Equal Wage Act applies to employers with six or more employees engaged in the manufacture of any article. The law prohibits payment of unequal wage for equal work (by time or piece of work) unless the variation in pay is due to seniority, experience, training, skill, difference in duties or any other reasonable classification except for sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Wages of Women and Minors Act prohibits an employer from paying any woman or minor an oppressive and unreasonable wage, or a wage that is both less than the fair and reasonable value of the services rendered and less than sufficient to meet the cost of living necessary for health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"discussion-of-wages-il\">Discussion of wages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Illinois EPA provides that an employer may not discharge or discriminate against any individual for inquiring about, disclosing, comparing, or otherwise discussing the employee&#8217;s wages or the wages of any other employee, or aiding or encouraging any person to exercise his or her rights under the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">An employer also may not require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing or discussing information about the employee&#8217;s wages, salary, benefits, or other compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pregnancy-accommodation-il\">Pregnancy accommodation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The IHRA requires an employer to provide reasonable accommodations based on pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">More frequent or longer bathroom, water or rest breaks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Private space (not a bathroom) for expressing breast milk and breastfeeding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Suitable seating<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Assistance with manual labor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Temporary transfer to a less-strenuous or less-hazardous position<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Modified duties, equipment, policies or work schedule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Time off<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Religious accommodation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">A covered employer must reasonably accommodate an employee whose sincerely held religious belief conflicts with a work requirement, under the IHRA. An employer may not impose, as a condition of obtaining or retaining employment, any term or condition that requires a person to violate or forgo a sincerely held religious practice, including the wearing of any attire, clothing or facial hair in accordance with religious requirements, unless the employer demonstrates undue hardship. An employer is not prohibited from enacting a dress code or grooming policy to maintain workplace safety or food sanitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"access-to-personnel-files-il\">Access to personnel files<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Personnel Record Review Act requires employers with five or more employees (excluding immediate family members) to allow current and former employees to inspect any personnel documents that are, have been or are intended to be used in determining that employee&#8217;s qualifications for employment, promotion, transfer, additional compensation, termination or other disciplinary action. An employee&#8217;s request must be granted up to two times per calendar year and within seven working days of the request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Be aware that where there is overlap between federal, state and\/or local law, complying with the law that offers the greatest rights or benefits to the employee will generally apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"recruiting-hiring\">Recruiting and hiring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Key Illinois requirements impacting recruiting and hiring are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"credit-checks-il\">Credit checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Illinois&#8217; Employee Credit Privacy Act (ECPA) generally bars employers from obtaining or using an applicant&#8217;s credit history for purposes of making a hiring decision. However, the ECPA expressly excludes banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, insurance or surety companies, and debt collectors. In addition, the ECPA excludes employers that are seeking to fill a position where a satisfactory credit history is a bona fide occupational requirement for the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"criminal-checks-il\">Criminal checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits an employer with 15 or more employees from inquiring into a job applicant&#8217;s arrest history. In addition, an employer may not ask applicants about criminal history that has been expunged (arrests), sealed (convictions) or subject to executive clemency or pardon (felony convictions that are not eligible for sealing). However, an employer may question job applicants about criminal convictions (misdemeanor or felony) that have not been sealed or pardoned. Employers are expressly authorized to review a job applicant&#8217;s conviction history, whether or not it has been sealed, for certain job categories (e.g., teachers, health care workers, child care workers, armed security guards).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ban-the-box-il\">Ban the box<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from asking criminal history questions on job applications. Employers may lawfully make criminal history inquiries after a candidate has been selected for an interview or, if there is not an interview, after a conditional employment offer has been made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"salary-history-inquiry-restrictions-il\">Salary history inquiry restrictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Illinois EPA has a salary history inquiry ban and generally prohibits an employer or employment agency, or employee or agent from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">Screening job applicants based on their current or prior wage or salary history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Requesting or requiring a wage or salary history as a condition of: (1) being considered for employment; (2) being interviewed; (3) continuing to be considered for an offer of employment; and (4) an offer of employment or an offer of compensation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Requesting or requiring that an applicant disclose wage or salary history as a condition of employment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Under the law, an employer or employment agency may provide an applicant with salary information offered in relation to a position and discuss salary expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">An employer is not in violation of the law when salary history is voluntarily disclosed if the employer does not consider or rely on this information as a factor in: (1) determining whether to offer an applicant employment; (2) making an offer of compensation; or (3) determining future wages, salary, benefits, or other compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Be aware that where there is overlap between federal, state and\/or local law, complying with the law that offers the greatest rights or benefits to the employee will generally apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-secondary-light-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Want to make smarter, more-informed decisions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-secondary-blue-color has-primary-white-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"\/us\/products\/hr-compliance-center\/\" style=\"border-radius:100px\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wage-hour\">Wage and hour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Key Illinois requirements impacting wages and hours are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"minimum-wage-il\">Minimum wage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The state minimum wage is $15.00 per hour. There are exemptions for tipped employees, minors, learners, trainees and individuals with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"overtime-il\">Overtime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Nonexempt employees are entitled to pay at one-and-one-half times their regular rate of pay if they work more than 40 hours in a workweek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"meal-breaks-il\">Meal breaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">An employee who is to work seven and one-half continuous hours or more must be provided a 20-minute meal period. The meal period should be provided within five hours of the employee beginning work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"breastfeeding-breaks-il\">Breastfeeding breaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act requires an employer with more than five employees (excluding immediate family members) to provide &#8220;reasonable&#8221; break time to an employee who needs to express breast milk for their nursing infant child each time the employee has the need to express milk for one year after the child&#8217;s birth, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. The break time may run concurrently with any break time already provided to the employee. Covered employers must compensate the employee during the break time at the employee&#8217;s regular rate of pay. Employers may not require the employee to use paid leave during the break time or reduce the employee&#8217;s compensation during the break time in any other way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"child-labor-il\">Child labor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Child labor laws in Illinois restrict the occupations in which minors may be employed and the number of hours and times during which they may work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Minors under 16 years of age are prohibited from working in a variety of occupations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Minor under 16 may not work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">More than six consecutive days in one week<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">More than three hours in one day (eight hours, when school is not in session)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">More than 24 hours in one week (48 hours, when school is not in session)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., from Labor Day through June 1 (between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., from June 1 through Labor Day)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Minors may work both Saturday and Sunday for not more than eight hours each day as long as the minor does not work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">More than six consecutive days in one week<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">More than 24 hours in one week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Minors under 16 are entitled to a 30-minute meal period after no more than five hours of continuous work, and no period of fewer than 30 minutes is deemed to interrupt a &#8220;continuous&#8221; period of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Be aware that where there is overlap between federal, state and\/or local law, complying with the law that offers the greatest rights or benefits to the employee will generally apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pay-benefits\">Pay and benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Key Illinois requirements impacting pay and benefits are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-care-continuation-il\">Health care continuation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employees and their covered dependents are eligible for up to 12 months of health care continuation coverage if coverage ends due to the employee&#8217;s reduction in hours or termination of employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In the event of the employee&#8217;s death or retirement, or divorce, a spouse and dependent children are eligible for up to two years of continuation coverage. If the spouse is age 55 or older, coverage lasts until the spouse is eligible for Medicare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Dependent children are eligible for up to two years of continuation coverage in the event of the employee&#8217;s death (and coverage is not available under the spousal coverage provisions) or the dependent reaching the limiting age under the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"payment-of-wages-il\">Payment of wages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Illinois employers may pay employees in cash, by check, by direct deposit or by payroll debit cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pay-statements-il\">Pay statements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Illinois employers must provide each employee with an itemized statement of deductions made from wages for each pay period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pay-frequency-il\">Pay frequency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Nonexempt employees must be paid semimonthly. Exempt employees in the executive, administrative and professional categories may be paid once a month. Commissions may be paid once a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Payment should be made within 13 days after the pay period ends (if a semimonthly or biweekly pay period) or within seven days (if a weekly pay period). Exempt employees must be paid on or before 21 calendar days after the period in which the wages were earned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wage-notices-il\">Wage notices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Illinois employers must notify employees at the time of hiring of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">The rate of pay<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">The time and place of payment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">When possible, this notification should be in writing and acknowledged by both parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers must also notify employees of any changes in the rate of pay or the time and place of payment before making the change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wage-deductions-il\">Wage deductions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Deductions may be made that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">Are required by law (e.g., taxes);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Benefit the employee (e.g., health insurance premiums, union dues);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Satisfy a valid wage assignment or wage deduction order (e.g., child support); or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Are made with the employee&#8217;s express written consent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Be aware that where there is overlap between federal, state and\/or local law, complying with the law that offers the greatest rights or benefits to the employee will generally apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"time-off-leaves-absence\">Time Off and Leaves of Absence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Illinois has several laws relating to required time off and leaves of absence for employees. These laws include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">Family military leave (covering employers with 15 or more employees)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Funeral honors detail leave (covering employers with 51 or more employees)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Kin care leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Family bereavement leave (covering employers with 50 or more employees)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Child extended bereavement leave (covering employers with 50 or more employees)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">School visitation leave (covering employers with 50 or more employees)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Blood and organ donor leave (covering employers with 51 or more employees)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Domestic violence leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Jury duty leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Witness leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Voting leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Election official leave (covering employers with 25 or more employees)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Military leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Civil Air Patrol leave (covering employers with 15 or more employees)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Emergency responder leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Paid leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Day of rest requirements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Be aware that where there is overlap between federal, state and\/or local law, complying with the law that offers the greatest rights or benefits to the employee will generally apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-safety\">Health and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Key Illinois requirements impacting health and safety are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"smoke-free-workplace-il\">Smoke-free workplace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Illinois prohibits smoking in public places, places of employment and within 15 feet of any entrance, exit, window that opens and ventilation intake of a public place or place of employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"weapons-in-the-workplace-il\">Weapons in the workplace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers in Illinois may ban guns in the workplace if proper signs have been posted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">However, an employee who is a concealed weapons license holder may carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle into the parking area or store a firearm concealed in a glove compartment, console or trunk (out of plain view) in a locked vehicle in the parking area. A license holder may also transport the firearm around the immediate area of the vehicle if the gun is unloaded and the purpose is to store it in or retrieve it from the trunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"safe-driving-practices-il\">Safe driving practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In Illinois, it is against the law to text or use a handheld phone, personal digital assistant, tablet or portable or mobile computer while driving. The law also specifically prohibits drivers from watching or streaming video, participating in any video conferencing application (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WebEx) or accessing any social media site (e.g., Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter)) on an electronic communication device while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Be aware that where there is overlap between federal, state and\/or local law, complying with the law that offers the greatest rights or benefits to the employee will generally apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"organizational-exit\">Organizational exit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Key Illinois requirements impacting organizational exit are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-pay-il\">Final pay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Whether an employee quits or is fired, all final compensation must be paid on the next regularly scheduled payday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">If an employee dies and has a small estate ($100,000 or less), the employer must pay wages owed, up to $20,000, to the surviving spouse. In addition, the employer must pay wages of up to $10,000, multiplied by the number of minor children and adult dependent children who resided with the surviving spouse at the time the employee died. If there is no surviving spouse, the same amounts are divided equally among the minor and adult dependent children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">If an employment contract or employer policy provides for paid vacations, all earned but unused vacation must be paid upon termination, unless otherwise provided in a collective bargaining agreement. Employment contracts and employer policies may not provide for forfeiture of earned vacation time upon termination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mass-layoff-notifications-il\">Mass layoff notifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers with 75 or more employees to give affected workers and state and local government officials 60 days&#8217; advance notice of a mass layoff, relocation, employment loss or plant closing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Be aware that where there is overlap between federal, state and\/or local law, complying with the law that offers the greatest rights or benefits to the employee will generally apply.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-3 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-db4c44a6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b827052 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:5px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\" class=\"\">In this resource:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#eeo-diversity-employee-relations\">EEO, diversity and employee relations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#recruiting-hiring\">Recruiting and hiring<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#wage-hour\">Wage and hour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#pay-benefits\">Pay and benefits<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#time-off-leaves-absence\">Time off and leaves of absence<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#health-safety\">Health and safety<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#organizational-exit\">Organizational exit<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a36fa716 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get the full picture. Access premium content today.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This resource is a brief overview of state employment law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Dig deeper with in-depth coverage of state and local employment laws in our Employment Law Guide with a FREE trial of the HR &amp; Compliance Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/hrcenter.us.brightmine.com\/freetrial-login\/?intcmp=hrcc-resources|premium-resources|button|hrcenterus-freetrial|start-your-free-trial\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Take a free trial<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad1af2a0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-secondary-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Read more articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-ea1fff98 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-11135 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-hr-news topic-employment-law-updates topic-immigration topic-state-compliance\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/immigration\/illinois-identity-mismatch-notices\/\" target=\"_self\" >Illinois Adds Protections Regarding Identity &#8220;Mismatch&#8221; Notices<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-9988 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-hr-news topic-employment-law-updates\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employment-law-updates\/illinois-employment-legislation-2025\/\" target=\"_self\" >Illinois Legislature sends governor a flurry of employment laws<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-9524 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-hr-news topic-employment-law-updates topic-hr-technology\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-strategy\/hr-technology\/texas-ai-law-passes\/\" target=\"_self\" >Texas rides in with third state AI law<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"#top\">Go back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-efae2095 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You may also be interested in&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n<section id=\"resources-search-filter\" class=\"wp-elements-8a375f8d2b29cd415a6ed271fad0b520 wp-block-brightmine-resources-filter has-text-color has-primary-gray-color has-background has-primary-white-background-color\">\n\n\n<div class=\"ajax-filter\">\n<div class=\"lnrs-resources-search-filter  editor-posts-filtered-topics \">\n\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_bottom\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_left\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_result_count\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_right\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"loader-container\">\n\t\t<span class=\"loader\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-filter-widget__container\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #E9E7E4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/total-rewards\/employee-benefits\/vacation-and-paid-time-off-benefits-by-state\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/22230217\/Employee-coaching-1200x627-1.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Charts<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/total-rewards\/employee-benefits\/vacation-and-paid-time-off-benefits-by-state\/\">Vacation and paid time off benefits by state<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">Stay compliant with state PTO regulations using this guide detailing whether jurisdictions allow vacation caps or require payout &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #E9E7E4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/labor-relations\/maryland-enacts-new-labor-friendly-laws\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/25093512\/Strawberry-harvest-1200x627-1.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">HR News<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/labor-relations\/maryland-enacts-new-labor-friendly-laws\/\">Maryland enacts new labor\u2011friendly laws<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">This article explains two new Maryland laws that expand protections for employees related to workplace meetings on religious &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #E9E7E4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/pay-transparency\/pay-transparency-compliance-for-multistate-employers\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/06102043\/smiling-female-hr-professional.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Webinars<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/pay-transparency\/pay-transparency-compliance-for-multistate-employers\/\">Pay transparency laws: Navigating compliance for multistate employers<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">Learn how multistate employers can navigate U.S. pay transparency laws, avoid penalties, and build compliant job postings across &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-primary-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-052304f72847d668e66922a9ed6eab25 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:10px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/12085517\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-681\" style=\"border-radius:25px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:10px;padding-left:10px\">\n<p class=\"\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/meet-our-authors\/#brightmine-editorial-team\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"8003\">The Brightmine Editorial Team<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Our in-house team of HR experts carefully monitors and updates the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/products\/hr-compliance-center\/\">Brightmine HR &amp; Compliance Center<\/a>, the most comprehensive library of employment law and HR resources. This team has an unrivaled wealth of subject matter expertise, with an average of 15 years&#8217; experience. They also bring invaluable, diverse career experiences to the table\u2014the team includes seasoned employment law attorneys, former in-house counsel, SHRM certified professionals and career employment law editors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In addition to managing the HR &amp; Compliance Center, the Editorial Team supports the content across the Brightmine product portfolio. The Team also supports Marketing Resource Center with breaking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/category\/hr-news\/\">HR news<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/category\/c-and-i\/\">Commentary and Insights<\/a>, and expert review of key compliance resources, such as our free charts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Follow Brightmine on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/brightmine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-bbb7e64f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Start your free trial today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">Register today to gain free 7-day access to the Brightmine HR &amp; Compliance Center and stay up to date, compliant and save valuable time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-primary-white-color has-secondary-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/hrcenter.us.brightmine.com\/freetrial-login\/?loggedInUrl=%2Ffreetrial%2Fnew-user%2F&amp;registrationUrl=%2Ffreetrial%2Fnew-user%2F&amp;intcmp=hrcc-resources|cta-2-col|light|banner|hrcenterus-freetrial|take-a-free-trial\" style=\"border-radius:26px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Take a free trial<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Illinois employment law overview reviews requirements employers should know if they have employees working in the state.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":6836,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-updateable-resources","categories":[13],"tags":[],"topic":[25,77],"class_list":["post-6725","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides-how-to","topic-hr-compliance","topic-state-compliance"],"_lnrs_read_more":"","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - 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