Cook County, IL Minimum Wage & Paid Leave Poster Description
All businesses that have a business facility in Cook County, Illinois or a business license issued by Cook County with employees covered by the County’s Minimum Wage Ordinance or the County’s Paid Leave Ordinance must post the Cook County Minimum Wage & Paid Leave Poster at the business facility. Individuals and entities covered by the law and major features of the poster include:
Minimum Wage
The Cook County Minimum Wage Ordinance applies to employers with four or more employees. The Ordinance covers employees who work in Cook County at least two hours per week. The Minimum Wage Ordinance also applies to employers of domestic workers.
The Cook County Minimum Wage rate is based on the greatest rate among the Federal minimum wage, Illinois State minimum wage, or on the County’s calculation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The County’s minimum wage calculation may not be used when the unemployment rate in Cook County is 8.5% or greater.
Paid Leave
The Paid Leave Ordinance applies to employers with at least one covered employee and a business facility in the County. The Ordinance covers employees who work in Cook County at least two (2) hours per week. The Paid Leave posting informs employees that they may accrue one (1) hour of Paid Leave for every 40 hours worked. Employees may use Paid Leave for any reason.
Notice & Posting
Employers with employees who work at a place of business within the geographic boundaries of Cook County must post in a conspicuous place at each facility where a covered employee works the Cook County Minimum Wage & Paid Leave Poster. Also, employers must provide each employee at the time of hire with written notice of their rights under the Minimum Wage and Paid Leave ordinances.
Enforcement Procedures
Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights. Employees who have not been paid required wages, not provided Paid Leave, or who have been discriminated against in violation of their rights, may file a complaint with the County or file a private action in court. The poster provides information about filing complaint with the County, time limits to file complaints and additional resources that are available to employees and employers.