IL HB4972

Divides Illinois into three "Job Areas" for minimum wage purposes: Area A (Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area counties), Area B, and Area C (remaining counties split based on population and unemployment rates using census data)

Area A reaches $15/hour minimum wage by January 1, 2025, following the existing schedule ($11 in 2021, $12 in 2022, $13 in 2023, $14 in 2024)

Area B reaches $15/hour minimum wage by July 1, 2027, with gradual increases starting at $11/hour through June 2022 and rising in approximately $0.67 increments annually

Area C reaches $15/hour minimum wage by July 1, 2033, with the slowest phase-in starting at $11/hour through June 2022 and rising in approximately $0.33-$0.67 increments every six months to one year

Municipalities and counties may opt into a different Job Area by local ordinance, allowing local governments to choose a higher or lower minimum wage tier than their default designation