IL minimum wage: $15.00/hr (2026)
📊 Illinois Income Tax Overview 2026
Illinois uses a flat 4.95% income tax — same rate for all income levels. No progressive brackets. Personal exemption: $2,425. No state SDI deduction.
| Taxable Income (Single) | CA Tax Rate | Tax on Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $10,412 | 1.0% | up to $104 |
| $10,413 – $24,684 | 2.0% | up to $285 |
| $24,685 – $38,959 | 4.0% | up to $571 |
| $38,960 – $54,081 | 6.0% | up to $907 |
| $54,082 – $68,350 | 8.0% | up to $1,141 |
| $68,351 – $349,137 | 9.3% | up to $26,139 |
| $349,138 – $418,961 | 10.3% | up to $7,192 |
| $418,962 – $698,274 | 11.3% | up to $31,560 |
| $698,275+ | 13.3% | highest bracket |
Source: Illinois Dept of Revenue · 2026. IL flat rate: 4.95%. Personal exemption: $2,425.
💵 Common Wages — Illinois After-Tax
Here's what various hourly wages look like after federal tax + Illinois 4.95% flat tax + FICA:
| Hourly Rate | Annual Gross | CA State Tax | Take-Home/yr | Take-Home/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17/hr | $35,360 | ~$618 | ~$28,100 | ~$2,342 |
| $20/hr | $41,600 | ~$935 | ~$32,700 | ~$2,725 |
| $22/hr | $45,760 | ~$1,155 | ~$35,500 | ~$2,958 |
| $25/hr | $52,000 | ~$1,614 | ~$39,500 | ~$3,292 |
| $30/hr | $62,400 | ~$2,450 | ~$47,000 | ~$3,917 |
| $35/hr | $72,800 | ~$3,350 | ~$54,000 | ~$4,500 |
| $40/hr | $83,200 | ~$4,260 | ~$61,000 | ~$5,083 |
| $50/hr | $104,000 | ~$6,450 | ~$74,900 | ~$6,242 |
🏙️ Illinois Major Cities — Wages & Cost of Living 2026
Here's a cost of living overview for major Illinois cities:
📖 Illinois Tax Guide for Workers 2026
Illinois Flat 4.95% Income Tax
Illinois uses a flat income tax rate of 4.95% on all taxable income — same rate whether you earn $15,000 or $150,000. Personal exemption: $2,425 per person (2026). No standard deduction — only the exemption applies.
No Illinois SDI or Paid Leave Mandate
Unlike California or Washington, Illinois has no mandatory state disability insurance (SDI) and no state-mandated paid family leave. Check with your employer about private disability insurance or PTO policies.
Illinois vs. Neighboring States
Illinois (4.95%) pays more state tax than Indiana (3.05%) or Missouri (up to 4.8%). However, Illinois workers keep significantly more than those in California (up to 13.3%) or New York (up to 10.9%).
Illinois Overtime Law
California has stricter overtime rules than federal law: overtime (1.5× rate) applies after 8 hours in a single day (not just 40 hours/week). Double time (2× rate) applies after 12 hours in a day or after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day worked. This can significantly increase take-home for hourly workers who work long days.
California COLA & Living Wage
California has the highest cost of living of any U.S. state. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Los Angeles needs ~$30–35/hr to meet basic needs without government assistance. In San Francisco, the equivalent is closer to $38–42/hr. A $17/hr minimum wage, while the highest state minimum in the U.S., still falls short of a true living wage in California's major cities.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
The Illinois minimum wage is $15.00/hour in 2026. Chicago has a higher city minimum of $15.80/hr for large employers.
Illinois has a flat income tax rate of 4.95% on all taxable income — same rate for all income levels. Personal exemption is $2,425 per person (2026).
No — Illinois has no mandatory SDI. Unlike California (0.9% SDI), Illinois workers have no SDI deduction. More take-home pay but no state-funded disability benefits.
$25/hr (~$3,292/month after IL taxes) is comfortable in most IL cities outside Chicago. Springfield, Peoria, and Rockford offer 1-bedrooms for $700–$1,100/month. In Chicago it's tighter at $1,600–$2,400/month.
At $52,000/year, Illinois workers (4.95%) take home ~$39,500/year vs Indiana workers (3.05%) ~$40,500/year — about $1,000 less per year in Illinois.