Chicago employment lawyers for employees
Fired, harassed, retaliated against or not paid what you earned at a Chicago job? Crosner Legal represents employees and has an office at 1021 West Adams Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, in the West Loop. Free, confidential case review.
Fired or mistreated at work in Chicago? Talk to an employment lawyer free.
Chicago employment claims we handle
- Wrongful termination
- Retaliation and whistleblower claims
- Harassment and sexual harassment
- Discrimination (race, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation and more)
- Unpaid wages, overtime and final compensation
- Biometric privacy (BIPA) violations involving employee fingerprints or face scans
- Wage-and-hour class actions on behalf of groups of co-workers
Working in Chicago
Chicago workers have city-level protections on top of Illinois law: a higher local minimum wage, the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, and the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance, enforced by the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, which covers workplaces in the city with one or more employees.
State-court employment cases from Chicago are typically filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, and federal cases in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. We work with employees across Chicago and nearby suburbs such as Evanston, Oak Park, Cicero, Skokie and Schaumburg.
Chicago and Illinois laws that protect workers
Chicago minimum wage. As of July 1, 2026, the Chicago minimum wage is $17.05 per hour for employers with 4 or more employees, and $12.96 for tipped workers (tips must bring them up to the full minimum). The state minimum is $15.00.
Source: City of Chicago – Minimum wage; Illinois Dept. of Labor – Minimum Wage Law
Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave. Employees who work at least 80 hours within any 120-day period in Chicago accrue one hour of paid leave and one hour of paid sick leave for every 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours of each in a 12-month period. Paid leave can be used for any reason; paid sick leave covers medical and safety needs.
Source: City of Chicago – Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave; City of Chicago – Paid Leave FAQ
Chicago Commission on Human Relations. The Commission enforces the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance. A discrimination complaint must be received within 365 days of the incident, the discrimination must have occurred in Chicago, and there is no cost to file.
Source: Chicago Commission on Human Relations – File a complaint
Discrimination (Illinois Human Rights Act). The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5) prohibits unlawful discrimination in employment based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age (40 and over), sex, marital status, order of protection status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, or unfavorable discharge from military service.
Source: 775 ILCS 5/1-103
Minimum wage and overtime. Since January 1, 2025, the Illinois minimum wage is $15.00 per hour for workers 18 and older ($9.00 base for tipped workers, with tips making up the difference). Overtime at time and a half is due after 40 hours in a week.
Source: Illinois Dept. of Labor – Minimum Wage Law
Unpaid wages (Wage Payment and Collection Act). An employee not timely paid wages or final compensation can recover the underpayment plus damages of 5% of the underpayment for each month it remains unpaid, and in a civil action also costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. Retaliation for wage complaints is also prohibited (820 ILCS 115/14).
Source: 820 ILCS 115/14
Whistleblower Act. An employer may not retaliate against an employee for disclosing, or threatening to disclose, information to a government agency, a court or a supervisor when the employee has a good-faith belief the activity violates a state or federal law, rule or regulation or poses a substantial and specific danger to employees, public health or safety (740 ILCS 174/15).
Source: 740 ILCS 174/15
Biometric privacy (BIPA). Before collecting biometric identifiers such as fingerprints or face geometry, for example through a time clock, a private entity must inform the person in writing and obtain a written release (740 ILCS 14/15).
Source: 740 ILCS 14/15
Key deadlines and agencies
| Claim / agency | Deadline or key rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Commission on Human Relations complaint | Within 365 days of the incident; must have occurred in Chicago | Chicago Commission on Human Relations – File a complaint |
| Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) charge | Within 2 years of the alleged violation (775 ILCS 5/7A-102; effective January 1, 2025) | 775 ILCS 5/7A-102 |
| EEOC charge dual-filed with IDHR | An EEOC charge filed within 300 days is deemed filed with IDHR (775 ILCS 5/7A-102(A-1)) | 775 ILCS 5/7A-102 |
| Unpaid wages | Claim with the Illinois Department of Labor or a civil action, but not both (820 ILCS 115/14) | 820 ILCS 115/14 |
Deadlines depend on the claim and can be affected by other filings. This is a summary, not legal advice. Federal claims (for example, EEOC charges) have their own deadlines. Talk to a lawyer early.
How an employment case with Crosner Legal works
- Free case review. Call or fill out the form. We listen to what happened and ask about dates, pay records and documents.
- Evaluation. We look at which state, local and federal laws may apply, which deadlines matter, and whether co-workers were affected the same way.
- Agency or court. Depending on the claim, a case may start with an agency complaint or go straight to court. We explain the options and trade-offs.
- Investigation and negotiation. We gather evidence, deal with your employer and its lawyers, and pursue a resolution.
- Litigation if needed. If a case does not resolve, we can litigate it. Many cases resolve before trial, but no outcome is guaranteed.
Why workers call Crosner Legal
- Contingency fee: you pay no legal fees unless we recover money for you
- Free, confidential consultations
- Illinois office: 1021 West Adams Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607
- Zachary Crosner is licensed in Illinois, Washington, Oregon, California and New York
- Experience bringing wage-and-hour class actions, as well as individual employment claims
Your attorneys
Attorneys licensed in Illinois:
Related pages
- Illinois employment lawyer
- Crosner Legal in Illinois
- Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA)
- Contact us
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Chicago?
As of July 1, 2026, the City of Chicago lists $17.05 per hour for employers with 4 or more employees and $12.96 for tipped workers. The Illinois statewide minimum is $15.00.
How much paid leave do Chicago workers get?
Under the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, covered employees accrue one hour of paid leave and one hour of paid sick leave for every 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours of each per 12-month period.
Where can I file a discrimination complaint in Chicago?
Options include the Chicago Commission on Human Relations (within 365 days, for discrimination that occurred in Chicago), the Illinois Department of Human Rights (within 2 years) and the EEOC. Each has different rules, so it helps to talk to a lawyer before filing.
How long do I have to file a discrimination charge in Illinois?
Since January 1, 2025, a charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights must be filed within 2 years of the alleged discrimination (775 ILCS 5/7A-102). Federal EEOC deadlines are shorter, so talk to a lawyer early.
What if my employer did not pay my final paycheck in Illinois?
Under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (820 ILCS 115/14), you can recover the unpaid amount plus 5% per month while it remains unpaid, and in a lawsuit also reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
Can I be fired for reporting illegal conduct in Illinois?
The Illinois Whistleblower Act (740 ILCS 174/15) prohibits retaliation against employees who disclose, in good faith, information about conduct they believe violates the law or poses a substantial and specific danger, including disclosures to government agencies and supervisors.
How much does it cost to talk to Crosner Legal?
The consultation is free. We handle employment cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront fees or hourly rates. We only get paid if we recover money for you.
Last updated October 2026.
Attorney Advertising. This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Crosner Legal is a private law firm and is not affiliated with any government agency.