SmallBizHandbookSmallBizHandbook

Illinois Final Paycheck and Pay Frequency Laws (2026)

Last updated: 2026-10-12 · Rules checked against Illinois's statutes and labor agency on 2026-10-03

In Illinois, a final paycheck for an employee who is fired or laid off is due at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. Earned vacation must be paid out. If the employee quits: same: at separation if possible, no later than the next regular payday. Pay frequency: Illinois employers must pay at least semimonthly (weekly and biweekly also comply). Semimonthly and biweekly wages are due within 13 days after the pay period ends; weekly wages within 7 days.

Final pay: fired
Next regular payday
Final pay: quits
Next regular payday
Pay frequency
At least semimonthly
Payday deadline
13 days (weekly: 7)
after the pay period ends

Illinois final paycheck law

Fired or laid off
At separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. Earned vacation must be paid out.
Quits
Same: at separation if possible, no later than the next regular payday.
Final-pay source
820 ILCS 115/5

14 states require final pay immediately or within about three days of a firing (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah and Vermont); most others allow the next regular payday. Final wages include all earned pay; whether unused vacation must be paid out is a separate state rule.

How often Illinois employers must pay

Illinois employers must pay at least semimonthly (weekly and biweekly also comply). Semimonthly and biweekly wages are due within 13 days after the pay period ends; weekly wages within 7 days.

  • Most employeesWeekly (allowed)Biweekly (allowed)Semimonthly (allowed)Monthly (not allowed)
  • Executive, administrative and professional (FLSA)Weekly (allowed)Biweekly (allowed)Semimonthly (allowed)Monthly (allowed)May be paid monthly, within 21 calendar days after the period ends.

Green: allowed. Amber: allowed only if a condition is met. Struck through: not allowed without approval.

Rule
At least semimonthly (at least twice a month)
Salaried / exempt staff
FLSA executive, administrative and professional employees may be paid monthly (within 21 days after the period).
Payday deadline after the pay period
Semimonthly or biweekly pay: within 13 days after the pay period ends. Weekly: within 7 days. Exempt monthly pay: within 21 days. Daily-paid workers: within 24 hours.
Posting / notice of paydays
Tell employees at hire the rate of pay and time and place of payment, in writing where possible, and post notices of the regular paydays and the Department of Labor's summary of the Act (820 ILCS 115/10). Remote employees get them by email or intranet.
Changing paydays
Notify employees of a change in the time or place of payment before it takes effect (820 ILCS 115/10).
  • Recent change: P.A. 103-953 (effective Jan. 1, 2025) requires a pay stub every pay period and copies within 21 days of a request.

Same category (at least twice a month): Alaska, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

Build a Illinois payroll calendar

Generate every 2026–2028 payday for your schedule, moved for bank holidays, and check it against Illinois's frequency and payday-deadline rules. Download it as Excel, CSV, PDF or a calendar file.

Payroll calendar settings

Pay periods run Sunday–Saturday; payday is Friday, 6 days after the period ends (e.g. Dec 14, 2025 – Dec 27, 2025 → Fri, Jan 2, 2026).

Paychecks in 2026
27
Usual is 26 — plan for the extra payroll
Months with 3+ paychecks
3
January, July, December
Paydays moved
2
Weekend or holiday
First / last payday
Jan 2 – Dec 31
Fri / Thu

Year-end shift: the payday scheduled for Fri, Jan 1, 2027 moves to Thu, Dec 31, 2026 and is paid in 2026, so it counts toward 2026 — W-2 wages, Social Security wage base and 401(k) limits follow the date wages are paid.

27 biweekly paychecks. If salaried staff are paid annual salary ÷ 26, a 27th check pays about 3.8% more than the salary for the year; dividing by 27 lowers each check about 3.7% instead. Decide before January and adjust per-paycheck benefit deductions and 401(k) deferrals.

Check #Pay periodPay dateSubmit payroll byDays after period endNotes
1Dec 14, 2025 – Dec 27, 2025Fri, Jan 2, 2026Tue, Dec 30, 20256
2Dec 28, 2025 – Jan 10, 2026Fri, Jan 16, 2026Wed, Jan 14, 20266
3Jan 11, 2026 – Jan 24, 2026Fri, Jan 30, 2026Wed, Jan 28, 202663rd check in January.
4Jan 25, 2026 – Feb 7, 2026Fri, Feb 13, 2026Wed, Feb 11, 20266
5Feb 8, 2026 – Feb 21, 2026Fri, Feb 27, 2026Wed, Feb 25, 20266
6Feb 22, 2026 – Mar 7, 2026Fri, Mar 13, 2026Wed, Mar 11, 20266
7Mar 8, 2026 – Mar 21, 2026Fri, Mar 27, 2026Wed, Mar 25, 20266
8Mar 22, 2026 – Apr 4, 2026Fri, Apr 10, 2026Wed, Apr 8, 20266
9Apr 5, 2026 – Apr 18, 2026Fri, Apr 24, 2026Wed, Apr 22, 20266
10Apr 19, 2026 – May 2, 2026Fri, May 8, 2026Wed, May 6, 20266
11May 3, 2026 – May 16, 2026Fri, May 22, 2026Wed, May 20, 20266
12May 17, 2026 – May 30, 2026Fri, Jun 5, 2026Wed, Jun 3, 20266
13May 31, 2026 – Jun 13, 2026Thu, Jun 18, 2026Tue, Jun 16, 20265Moved from Fri, Jun 19, 2026 (Juneteenth).
14Jun 14, 2026 – Jun 27, 2026Fri, Jul 3, 2026Wed, Jul 1, 20266
15Jun 28, 2026 – Jul 11, 2026Fri, Jul 17, 2026Wed, Jul 15, 20266
16Jul 12, 2026 – Jul 25, 2026Fri, Jul 31, 2026Wed, Jul 29, 202663rd check in July.
17Jul 26, 2026 – Aug 8, 2026Fri, Aug 14, 2026Wed, Aug 12, 20266
18Aug 9, 2026 – Aug 22, 2026Fri, Aug 28, 2026Wed, Aug 26, 20266
19Aug 23, 2026 – Sep 5, 2026Fri, Sep 11, 2026Wed, Sep 9, 20266
20Sep 6, 2026 – Sep 19, 2026Fri, Sep 25, 2026Wed, Sep 23, 20266
21Sep 20, 2026 – Oct 3, 2026Fri, Oct 9, 2026Wed, Oct 7, 20266
22Oct 4, 2026 – Oct 17, 2026Fri, Oct 23, 2026Wed, Oct 21, 20266
23Oct 18, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026Fri, Nov 6, 2026Wed, Nov 4, 20266
24Nov 1, 2026 – Nov 14, 2026Fri, Nov 20, 2026Wed, Nov 18, 20266
25Nov 15, 2026 – Nov 28, 2026Fri, Dec 4, 2026Wed, Dec 2, 20266
26Nov 29, 2026 – Dec 12, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026Wed, Dec 16, 20266
27Dec 13, 2026 – Dec 26, 2026Thu, Dec 31, 2026Tue, Dec 29, 20265Moved from Fri, Jan 1, 2027 (New Year's Day). 3rd check in December.

Holidays: Federal Reserve Bank closures, when ACH direct deposits don't settle (the Reserve Banks stay open on the Friday before a Saturday holiday, such as July 3, 2026 and Dec. 24, 2027). Submit-payroll dates count Federal Reserve business days; your provider's cutoff may differ.

Other Illinois payroll rules

Illinois final paycheck and payday FAQ

When is a final paycheck due in Illinois if an employee is fired?

At separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. Earned vacation must be paid out. Source: 820 ILCS 115/5.

When is a final paycheck due in Illinois if an employee quits?

Same: at separation if possible, no later than the next regular payday. Source: 820 ILCS 115/5.

How often do Illinois employers have to pay employees?

Illinois employers must pay at least semimonthly (weekly and biweekly also comply). Semimonthly and biweekly wages are due within 13 days after the pay period ends; weekly wages within 7 days.

Can I pay employees monthly in Illinois?

Not for most employees — they must be paid weekly, biweekly and semimonthly. Salaried / exempt staff: FLSA executive, administrative and professional employees may be paid monthly (within 21 days after the period).

How soon after a pay period ends must Illinois employees be paid?

Semimonthly or biweekly pay: within 13 days after the pay period ends. Weekly: within 7 days. Exempt monthly pay: within 21 days. Daily-paid workers: within 24 hours.

Do I have to give notice before changing paydays in Illinois?

Notify employees of a change in the time or place of payment before it takes effect (820 ILCS 115/10).

Official Sources

Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-03

Related Resources on This Site

Final paycheck and payday laws in other states

ALAKAZARCACOCTDEDCFLGAHIIDINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY

All states on one map and table →

General information, not legal advice. Confirm the current rules with Illinois's labor department before relying on them.