Millions Recovered
For Unpaid Workers
Illinois workers are protected by the **Illinois Minimum Wage Law ($15.00/hr)** and the unique **One Day Rest in Seven Act (ODRISA)**, which mandates specific meal breaks and rest days. Unlike many states, Illinois has strong penalties including **5% monthly damages** on unpaid wages. If you work in Chicago, you may be entitled to an even higher minimum wage.
No fees unless we win. We only get paid when you do.
Get an estimate of what you're owed in just 60 seconds. This calculator is based on federal FLSA laws and includes liquidated damages (double your unpaid wages).
While Illinois follows federal overtime rules (time-and-a-half after 40 hours), it offers **stronger protections** for breaks and rest days under the One Day Rest in Seven Act (ODRISA). Employers must provide at least **24 consecutive hours of rest** every calendar week and a **20-minute meal break** for every 7.5 hours worked.
Note: Cook County suburbs may opt out but must still follow the state minimum of $15.00. Chicago has its own Ordinance that consistently exceeds the state rate.
Illinois law strictly requires employers to provide two key protections:
24 consecutive hours of rest in every calendar week (Sunday-Saturday).
20 minutes unpaid meal break for every 7.5 continuous hours worked.
⚠️ Penalty: Employers face steep civil penalties for ODRISA violations, and you may be entitled to significant compensation for missed breaks and forced workdays.
For workers in Chicago, the Fair Workweek Ordinance offers additional rights beyond state law:
Right to 10 days advance notice of work schedule.
1 hour of pay for schedule changes made with less than 10 days notice.
Right to decline hours less than 10 hours after previous shift (Clopenings).
Under ODRISA, working 7.5 hours without a 20-minute meal break is illegal. Auto-deducting lunch when you worked through it is wage theft.
Common in Chicago construction and logistics. Paying a flat daily rate does NOT exempt employers from paying overtime after 40 hours.
Forcing employees to work 7 consecutive days without a 24-hour rest period violates ODRISA, potentially entitling you to significant damages.
Labeling office workers as "managers" to avoid paying overtime, or calling full-time workers "independent contractors" (1099).
Chicago restaurants often force servers to share tips with managers or back-of-house staff, which violates both federal and state laws.
Security checks, putting on uniforms, or preparing equipment before clocking in must be paid time in Illinois.
Factories and warehouses in the Chicago area frequent violates ODRISA:
Nurses and caregivers often face automatic deduction issues:
Construction sites across Illinois rampant with violations:
Restaurants and hospitality in Chicago:
Under Illinois law, you can recover the unpaid wages PLUS damages of 5% of the underpayment for each month it remains unpaid. This can add up to significantly more than federal double damages for older claims.
Alternatively, federal law provides for double damages (100% liquidated damages). We will calculate which law provides the maximum recovery for your specific case.
Illinois law mandates that employers pay your attorney fees and costs if you win your wage claim.
⚠️ We look for EVERY legal angle to extend your back pay recovery period.
Illinois offers some of the strongest wage protections in the country, particularly with its simplified damages calculation and long statute of limitations.
While Paul M. Botros is licensed in Texas and Florida, we successfully help Illinois workers recover unpaid wages through our network of skilled Illinois attorneys. We partner with experienced local counsel or obtain special admission (pro hac vice) to ensure you get both specialized wage and hour expertise and local court advantage.
We Level the Playing Field
Large employers have legal teams. With our national network, so do you.
Expert legal review of your overtime claim. No fees unless we win. Use the calculator above to estimate your recovery, then contact us for a detailed case analysis.