Total Articles: 3
Illinois Minimum Wage Rates Increase on July 1, 2010
The Illinois minimum wage rates increased on July 1, 2010. The minimum wage rate for adult employees increased to $8.25 per hour, although employers may pay new employees $7.75 per hour during their first 90 days of employment. The minimum wage rate for employees under 18 years of age increased to $7.75 per hour.
Illinois Minimum Wage Increase Sent to Governor (pdf).
On November 30, 2006, the Illinois legislature increased
the state’s minimum hourly rate to $7.50. This one-dollar
increase is expected to be signed by the governor and
will take effect July 1, 2007. The minimum wage will
continue to increase by 25 cents a year until it reaches
$8.25 on July 1, 2010. In order to lessen the impact on
Illinois businesses, employers will be permitted to pay
50 cents less per hour to employees under the age of 18,
and to new employees during the fi rst 90 days of their
employment.
New Legislation Makes Punitive Damages Available in More Cases Under Illinois Minimum Wage Law (pdf).
Under the Illinois Minimum Wage Law (“IMWL”),
an employee may assign his claim to the Illinois
Department of Labor (“IDOL”) or fi le a lawsuit on
his own behalf. In 2005, the Illinois Appellate Court
for the First District held that punitive damages are
only available when the employee assigns his claim to
the IDOL.
