Below you will find a summary of new laws at the federal, state, Cook County, and Chicago levels.

Please note:

• The following information is provided as a membership service for restaurant operators, and is not intended as legal or professional advice or counsel.
• Any local, state, or federal rules, regulations, or laws summarized are subject to change.
• The Illinois Restaurant Association strongly encourages readers to consult with their attorney or competent professional prior to taking action based on the following information.

MINIMUM WAGE

State

In the State of Illinois, the new minimum wage will be $15 for non-tipped workers and $9 for tipped workers.

Click here for more information about the State of Illinois' Minimum Wage Law.

Cook County

The new minimum wage for Cook County will be $15 for non-tipped workers and $9 for tipped workers.

Click here for more information about the Cook County Minimum Wage Ordinance.

Chicago

Starting July 1, 2025, the minimum wage will be $16.60 for non-tipped employees and the $12.62 for tipped employees.

Additionally, on July 1, 2025, the Fair Workweek Ordinance will include updated compensation metrics. The Fair Workweek Ordinance requires certain employers to provide workers with predictable work schedules. This ordinance only applies to restaurateurs with more than 250 employees and 30 or more locations globally. Starting on July 1, covered employees are those who earn less than or equal to $32.60/hour (previously $26.00/hour) or $62,561.90/year (previously $50,000/year), among other requirements.

Effective July 1, 2025, the paid leave provisions of the Paid Leave and Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance may be enforced through a private cause of action. Any employer who denies leave to an employee covered by the ordinance may be sued by the employee in a civil action for damages equal to three times the full amount of the leave that was denied or lost, in addition to interest and attorneys’ fees. The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection also remains authorized to enforce the ordinance, which provides for fines ranging from $500 to $3,000 per violation depending on the nature of the violation.

Click here for more information from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection on the minimum wage.

FEDERAL

Corporate Transparency Act Beneficial Ownership Reporting

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued an interim final rule that removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act. However, foreign entities that meet the new definition of a “reporting company” and do not qualify for an exemption from the reporting requirements must report their BOI to FinCEN under new deadlines.

Click here for more information about FinCEN's interim final rule.

STATE

Equal Pay Act Pay Transparency Amendment

Companies with 15 or more employees will be required to share a pay scale and benefit information in all job postings. The law also requires that if an employer posts a job externally, they must also share information with current employees within 14 days about opportunities for promotion.

Click here for more information about the Equal Pay Act Pay Transparency amendment.

Illinois Identification Card Act Amendment

The State of Illinois is now allowed to issue digital drivers licenses or state IDs. These IDs would be in addition to physical IDs. Law enforcement officers, representatives of a State or federal department or agency, or a private entity may still require a physical ID card. No person, public entity, private entity, or agency can mandate the use of a digital ID in lieu of a physical ID.

Click here to read the full amendment to the Illinois Identification Card Act.

Worker Freedom of Speech Act

An employer cannot penalize an employee in any way if the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting if the meeting is to communicate the opinion of the employer about religious or political matters. An employer also cannot penalize an employee for refusing to receive or listen to communications about religious or political matters.

Click here for the full text of the Worker Freedom of Speech Act.

CHICAGO

2025 Revenue Ordinance

Under the 2025 Revenue Ordinance, taxes will increase for the following:

• Parking taxes will increase to 23.25% on all days.
• Valet parking taxes will increase to 23.25%.
• Personal property leasing taxes will rise to 11%.
• Amusement taxes on paid television and amusements that are delivered electronically, such as video streaming, audio streaming, and online games, will increase to 10.25%.

Click here for more information on the tax rate changes for the City of Chicago.