Agencies
Services
Wage Payment and Collection Act
The Wage Payment and Collection Act establishes when, where and how often wages must be paid and prohibits deductions from wages or final compensation without the employee's consent. IDOL also provides assistance to workers in the collection of wages and final compensation including unused vacation pay, commissions, bonuses or other fringe benefits. State and federal government employees are exempt and cannot file claims under the Act.
Please be aware that the Illinois Department of Labor receives thousands of wage claims each year and must make difficult decisions about which claims it can pursue on a worker’s behalf. Due to the current high volume of claims, the Department will be implementing a pilot triage program beginning in November 2025. During this pilot, the Department will not be able to accept claims that meet certain criteria, such as claims that are purely for a disputed bonus or severance payment. Individuals may still pursue their claims in court.
For more information or to seek legal help, please consult the resources below.
Contact
- Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act Information: (312) 793-2808
- Email: DOL.Wages@Illinois.gov
Forms/Links
- See the law, 820 ILCS 115/1-16 (Legislative Website)
- IWPCA Amendment to Section 13.5
- Administrative Code, 56 Ill. Adm. Code 300 (Legislative Website)
- Online Wage Claim Form
- Printable Wage Claim Form | Spanish | Polish
- Certificate of Service Form
- Respondent Certificate of Service Form
- Entry of Appearance Form
- Wage Claim Process Diagram
- Wage Payment and Collection Act Penalties- Notice to Employers
- Electronic Payroll Debit/Credit Cards for Payment of Wages
- Hearings
- Required Posters
- Required Poster for Private Sector Construction Contractors and Subcontractors I English I Español I Polski
- Sample Demand for Payment of Wages
Legal Resources
Lawyer Referral Services:
- National Employment Lawyers Association Find-a-Lawyer tool
- Illinois State Bar Association Lawyer Finder
- Chicago Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (serves Cook County): Call them at (312) 554-2001 or visit them online.
- Chicago Bar Association Call-A-Lawyer: Call-A-Lawyer is a program that provides an opportunity for the public to call in, ask questions and get free legal information over the phone. Call 312-554-2001 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the program dates to speak to a volunteer Lawyer Referral Service attorney for general legal advice and self-help strategies. More information here.
Legal Aid Organizations:
- Northern Illinois:
- Legal Aid Chicago Phone (312) 341-1070
- Metropolitan Family Services Phone: (312) 986-4200
- Central Illinois:
- Prairie State Legal Services Phone: (815) 965-2134
- Southern Illinois
- Land of Lincoln Legal Aid Phone: (877) 342-7891