Unpaid Wages Demand Letter in Illinois
A letter asking an employer to pay wages you are owed, before you file a wage claim with your state labor agency or the U.S. Department of Labor. Keep copies of pay stubs, schedules and messages.
What Illinois law says
| Final paycheck if fired or laid off | At the time of separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. If the employee asks in writing, the final check must be mailed. Source: 820 ILCS 115/5 |
|---|---|
| Final paycheck if you quit | Same as for firing: at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. Source: 820 ILCS 115/5 |
| Minimum wage | $15.00 per hour for workers 18 and older, in effect since January 1, 2025. Workers under 18 who work fewer than 650 hours a year may be paid $13.00 per hour. The state law applies to employers with 4 or more employees (not counting family members). Some local governments may set higher minimum wages. No further statewide increase is scheduled in state law. |
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[today's date]
To: [employer name], [employer address]
From: [your name], [your address]
I worked for you as [job title] from [start date] to [end date or present]. You have not paid me $[amount owed] for [the hours, overtime, final paycheck or tips owed], covering [dates owed].
Please pay this amount by [payment deadline] by [payment method].
If I do not receive payment, I plan to file a wage claim with [state labor agency] and pursue any other remedies the law allows.
[your name] [phone or email]
Unpaid Wages Demand Letter for other states · Illinois tenant rights
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.