Agencies
Services
Illinois Department of Labor
We protect workers’ wages, help employers follow the law, and ensure everyone understands their rights at work.
How can we help you?
- Understand my rights (wages, meal breaks, paid and unpaid time off, and more)
- Learn about filing a workplace complaint (including your rights if you decide to file)
- Find legal support
- Prepare for a hearing
In Illinois, all workers are protected by labor laws. It is against Illinois law for an employer to retaliate against a worker for filing a complaint or cooperating with an investigation. This is true regardless of your immigration status.
Contact us
We are here to help. You can reach a specific department via our Contact Us page.
Issues for other agencies: Some workplace issues, like unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation and employment discrimination, are not handled by the Illinois Department of Labor. See issues other agencies can help with.
Illinois Department of Labor Helpline
Chicago office: 312-793-2800
Springfield office: 217-782-6206
Accessible teletype (TTY): 1-800-526-0844
Recent updates
For workers under 16, Illinois law limits working hours and requires an employment certificate. During the school year, work before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. is prohibited.
The Illinois Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act took effect June 1. This law provides employees with unpaid leave when their newborn is admitted to a NICU.
Each year, we publish prevailing wage rates for every county in Illinois. These rates apply to publicly funded construction projects. To see prevailing wage rates for 2026, visit our Prevailing Wage Act Rates page.
