Chicago Labor Law Updates for 2025

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Chicago Labor Law Updates 2025: What You Need to Know

The Chicago city government pronounced itself the most pro-worker city in the country. These Chicago labor law updates are designed to treat working people with dignity and fairness.

Chicago minimum wage set to increase July 1 along with changes for paid time off. Starting July 1, the city’s minimum wage will be $16.60 and the minimum wage for subsidized youth employment programs will be $16.50.

Chicago Labor Law Updates for 2025 Explained

Under the One Fair Wage Ordinance, the wages of tipped workers such as restaurant servers, bartenders, bussers and runners who earn a subminimum wage of $12.62 per hour will increase by eight percent per year until it reaches parity with Chicago’s standard hourly minimum wage on July 1, 2028.

For the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, workers are guaranteed up to five days of paid leave and five days of paid sick leave for workers who work at least 80 hours within any 120-day period. Other regulations for paid leave, paid sick time and the Fair Workweek are also set to take effect on July 1.

Employees can carry over up to 16 hours between 12-month periods and can use paid leave for any reason. Employees can carry over up to 80 hours of sick leave between 12-month benefit periods. For the Fair Workweek Ordinance requires certain employers to provide workers with predictable work schedules and compensation for changes.

Chicago labor laws are updated annually. For more information on the labor law, visit Chicago.gov/LaborStandards.