As of January 1, 2014, minimum wage in Illinois is $8.25. Illinois is one of 45 states that have enacted minimum wage laws. Illinois minimum wage law covers businesses with 4 or more employees. The minimum wage in Illinois is $1.00 greater than the current Federal minimum wage rate of $7.25. Various legislative attempts have been made to increase the Illinois minimum wage but all of them have failed to date. However, Illinois voters will have a chance to weigh in on the minimum wage question soon. An advisory referendum in November 2014 will ask them whether the state should raise the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour.