Work legally in Illinois

Minimum wage and tips in Illinois

  • Minimum:$15/hr
  • Tips:$9/h (subminimum)
  • Paid family leave: No statewide programs (federal unpaid FMLA only)
  • Maximum weekly unemployment: approximately $599 (if you qualify — F-1 usually doesn’t)

CPT and OPT: practice sequence

  1. See DSO: CPT eligibility (usually after 1 academic year, linked to curriculum).
  2. Job offer consistent with the major; letter dated for SEVIS.
  3. Update I-20 with CPT endorsement before starting.
  4. For OPT: request 90 days in advance, USCIS fee, waiting for EAD card.
  5. Store every pay stub; verifies federal and state withholdings.

Work laws only in Illinois

  • At will: at-will
  • Non-competes: restricted under Freedom to Work Act
  • OSHA: Federal OSHA (DOL regions)

On-campus vs. off-campus

  • On-campus— Up to 20 hours/week per term; CPT is not needed in many cases (check DSO policy).
  • Off-campus CPT— Must be integral to the program; part-time hours in session.
  • OPT / STEM OPT— After completion or during thesis in some cases; limited unemployment days.

Payroll taxes

In Illinois you will have state withholdings in addition to federal; uses W-4 forms and state equivalent.

Mistakes that cost your status

  • Work before CPT/OPT approval.
  • Exceeding permitted hours or working for an unauthorized employer.
  • Do not report job loss to the DSO during OPT (unemployment days).
  • Accept “cash” work below minimum without documentation.

STEM OPT and grace period

  • 24-month extension for USCIS-listed STEM majors — verify course CIP code.
  • Report employment every 6 months on myUSCIS during STEM OPT.
  • 90 cumulative days of unemployment during standard OPT; 150 during STEM (check current rules).

Typical on-campus jobs

  • Dining, library, recreation, research assistant (often linked to major).
  • Minimum hourly payment $15 — check pay stub.
Phone snatching

Su CTA rush hour — telefono in tasca frontale.

Quick reference

Chicago sicurezza dipende da quartiere; non stereotipare tutta la città. Tornado interior possibili. Diritti lavoratori solidi.

  • 911
  • Chicago 311
  • Tornado sirens downstate
  • Campus alert Rave

Practical safety

Pratica

Usa buddy system weekend nightlife River North.

  • CTA: non dormire fine linea
  • UIUC: Green Street lighting ok
  • Winter ice su sidewalks

Meteo

Kit casa: pala neve rare in Chicago apt ma scaldabollo e coperte.

  • Blizzard
  • Tornado
  • Heat wave estate

Rights and actions

Azioni

State-specific rule
  • Illinois DOL
  • Chicago FHOP
  • Small claims fino a 10.000 $

Emergencies

Numeri

  • 911
  • 988
  • Campus police

Ranked 35 of 50 for minimum wage

Ranked 40 of 50 for max unemployment

State-specific data for Illinois: Work

Data verified: 2026-03

Federal rule — same in all states

Regola federale — CPT/OPT/STEM OPT: stesse regole USCIS in tutti gli stati; rispetta anche leggi salariali locali

Minimum wage$15/hr ⚠️
Tipped subminimum$9/hr ⚠️
At-will employmentat-will
Non-compete agreementsrestricted under Freedom to Work Act
Paid family leaveNessun programma statewide (solo FMLA federale non retribuito)
OSHA coverageFederal OSHA (regioni DOL)
Max weekly unemployment$599 ⚠️

Sources: DOL · DOL state labor

Official U.S. sources

Informational summary only—always read the latest official pages. Not legal, tax, or medical advice.

Immigration status, student employment, work authorization

Rules for F/M/J students, CPT/OPT, and Form I-765 are published by USCIS. Confirm the current page before starting any work.

Work, wages, and international taxation

Minimum wage and overtime: DOL topics. International taxpayer obligations and resources: IRS international taxpayers hub.