Illinois Will Have The Highest Minimum Wage In The Midwest In 2024

Minimum wage workers in Illinois are in for a raise in the new year.

Many new laws are getting ready to take effect in Illinois, like banning close contact with bears (yes, really) and another law forcing utility companies to keep gas & electric on during really hot summer days for folks who haven't paid their bills.

Among them is a minimum wage increase in Illinois that will make it the highest minimum wage in the Midwest, according to Illinois Policy.

For both tipped and non-tipped hourly workers in Illinois, starting on January 1st, 2024, the minimum wage will increase. For tipped workers, they will see a raise from $7.80 to $8.40 an hour. For non-tipped workers, they will get a raise from $13 per hour to $14 per hour.

There's also a raise in store for the teens working their first jobs too. For those under 18 who are working for minimum wage and working less than 650 hours per year, the wage will go from $10.50 an hour to $12 per hour.

The minimum wage raise puts Illinois in the lead in the Midwest. Here's how it stacks up against the rest of us:

The new raise doesn't mean all things are rosy in Illinois though. According to a Tax Foundation study, Illinois has the 37th worst business climate in the U.S. Of course, the risk with raising the minimum wage is that the state will be less attractive to potential employers and job shortages could entail.

Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Nebraska, and North Dakota are all sticking to the federal minimum wage of $7.25.