When Wages Have to Be Paid
820 ILCS 115/4 — within 13 days after a semi-monthly or bi-weekly pay period ends, and 7 days after a weekly one
| How the job pays | Wages are paid no later than |
|---|---|
| How the job paysSemi-monthly or bi-weekly | Wages are paid no later than13 days after the end of the pay period |
| How the job paysWeekly | Wages are paid no later than7 days after the end of the week |
| How the job paysDaily | Wages are paid no later thanThe same day where possible, and within 24 hours |
| How the job paysExecutive, administrative and professional employees | Wages are paid no later than21 calendar days after the period |
Who handles this in Illinois: Illinois Department of Labor and Illinois Department of Employment Security; and legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Illinois directory.
- Workers on strike or layoff are paid all wages earned up to then no later than the next regular payday.
- An employee who was absent on payday is paid on demand within 5 days after it, and by mail where they ask in writing.
- A valid collective bargaining agreement may set different dates or arrangements.
Wages are paid in money, by a check redeemable without discount at a bank readily available to the employee, or by deposit to an account the employee designates.
Sources for this section (1)
- 820 ILCS 115/4 — 820 ILCS 115/4
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Illinois attorney.