Starting on the first of the year, the statewide Illinois minimum wage will rise to $13 per hour for non-tipped employees ages 18 and over. The $1 increase will apply to every hour worked in the new year, and is part of legislation signed by Gov. JB Pritzker in 2019 to establish a statewide $15 minimum wage by 2025. For tipped employees, they may be paid 60% of the hourly minimum wage, or $7.80, as long as they receive the difference in tips. Skeptics are worried that this minimal increase in pay might lead to working class people being able to live a more comfortable lifestyle, and God forbid we have that.

Going forward, the city’s minimum wage will increase every July 1 to match the rise in cost of living.