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Illinois final paycheck law

The short answer

A separated employee must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ)) An employee who quits must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ))

Last verified Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule

General information, not legal advice. This page is for general information only and isn’t legal, financial or tax advice. Laws vary by state and change; check the official source or talk to a qualified professional about your situation. Every rule on this page links to its official source.

Final paycheck

If you fire someone, when is the last paycheck due?Next regular paydayVerified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency

A separated employee must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ))

“When an employee leaves an employer's employment, the employer is required to pay the final compensation of separated employees in full at the time of separation, if possible, but in no event later than the next regularly scheduled payday for such employee.”

Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ) · labor.illinois.gov

“Employees must receive their final compensation, including earned wages, vacation pay, commissions and bonuses on their next regularly scheduled payday.”

Illinois Department of Labor, Your Rights Under Illinois Employment Laws poster (2023) · labor.illinois.gov

labor.illinois.gov · labor.illinois.gov

If an employee quits, when is the last paycheck due?Next regular paydayVerified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official pages from the same agency

An employee who quits must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ))

“When an employee leaves an employer's employment, the employer is required to pay the final compensation of separated employees in full at the time of separation, if possible, but in no event later than the next regularly scheduled payday for such employee.”

Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ) · labor.illinois.gov

“Employees must receive their final compensation, including earned wages, vacation pay, commissions and bonuses on their next regularly scheduled payday.”

Illinois Department of Labor, Your Rights Under Illinois Employment Laws poster (2023) · labor.illinois.gov

labor.illinois.gov · labor.illinois.gov

What it means for an employer

  1. Set the final pay date when you schedule the termination meeting or accept the resignation, using the deadline above.
  2. Include every wage earned up to the last day, and check the PTO payout rule for your state.
  3. Keep a record of the date and the amount paid.

The federal default

“Employers are not required by federal law to give former employees their final paycheck immediately.”

U.S. Department of Labor: Last paycheck · dol.gov

State rules can add to the federal default. The Illinois rules above are the ones we verified; for anything not covered, ask the state labor office.

Final paycheck: Illinois and its neighbors

StateFinal pay after firingAfter quitting
IllinoisNext regular paydayNext regular payday
WisconsinNot verifiedNot verified
IowaNext regular paydayNext regular payday
MissouriNot verifiedNot verified
KentuckyNext payday or 14 days, whichever is laterNext payday or 14 days, whichever is later
IndianaNot verifiedNot verified

Only verified rules are shown. "Not verified" means we have not checked that state's rule yet; open its rulebook for the official source.

Illinois employer rulebookEvery verified rule for the stateFinal paycheck laws by stateOne row per state, with sourcesHow to fire an employee in your stateSteps and documentsEmployee no call, no show: what to doSteps and documentsAn employee resigned: what to do nextSteps and documents

Questions about Illinois final paycheck law

If you fire someone, when is the last paycheck due in Illinois?

A separated employee must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ))

If an employee quits, when is the last paycheck due in Illinois?

An employee who quits must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor FAQ))

Sources (3)

Checked Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error