Workers' comp · IL
Illinois workers' comp calculator
Illinois is the state that moves its rates twice a year and scales the minimum benefit to the size of the family.
Rules read on official Illinois pages on · Checked by Radif Partners · How we calculate
- Benefit rate
- 66.67%
- Gross average weekly wage before taxes
- Weekly maximum
- $2,045.63
- from July 15, 2026
- Weekly minimum
- $400
- or the wage, if lower
- Waiting period
- 3 days
- paid back past 14 days
Illinois pays temporary total disability at 66.67% of the average weekly wage. The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission resets the maximum every January 15 and July 15 from the statewide average weekly wage published by the Department of Employment Security; from July 15, 2026 through January 14, 2027 the SAWW is $1,534.22 and the TTD maximum $2,045.63, about 133% of it. The minimum depends on the household: $400 with no spouse or child, rising to $600 with four or more, but never above the worker's own wage. Under Section 8(b) of the Act, the first 3 working days are unpaid unless the incapacity lasts more than 14 days. TTD has no week limit. A nurse earning $1,800 a week who misses 20 days receives $1,200 a week, $3,429 in all. Permanent partial disability has a separate, lower ceiling.
Weekly temporary total disability benefit in Illinois
$733
$3,178 a month · 66.67% of the wage, tax-free
| 66.67% of $1,100 | $733 |
| Weekly maximum / minimum | $2,045.63 / $400 |
| Days paid / unpaid waiting days | 30 / 0 |
| Total for the time off | $3,143 |
Estimate of wage-loss benefits for a total disability, from the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC) rates. Medical care is paid separately; partial disability, permanent impairment ratings and settlements follow other rules. How this is calculated.
January 15 and July 15
Most states move their numbers once a year. Section 8(b)6 tells the Commission to post new rates by January 15 and July 15, because the Department of Employment Security publishes the state wage every six months. The IWCC benefit rates page shows the effect: $2,008.60 for injuries from January 15 to July 14, 2026, then $2,045.63 from July 15, 2026. Two coworkers hurt in the same calendar year can therefore have different ceilings. The Commission adds a caution of its own: where its posted figures and the statute disagree, the statute governs, so a disputed rate is argued from the Act, not from the table. A Peoria heavy-equipment mechanic averaging $3,400 a week computes to $2,267 and receives $2,046; the ceiling starts at about $3,068 of weekly pay.
A minimum sized to the household
| Spouse and children | Weekly TTD minimum |
|---|---|
| None | $400 |
| One | $460 |
| Two | $520 |
| Three | $580 |
| Four or more | $600 |
The minimum is the worker's average weekly wage or the rate above, whichever is lower. The IWCC ties these amounts to the Illinois minimum wage, and new minimums appear in the July 15 rates. A food-service worker averaging $480 a week computes to two thirds, $320; single, the floor lifts it to $400; with two children, to $480, the whole wage, because the two-child minimum is higher than the wage. The calculator applies the minimum for a worker without dependents.
Three working days
The Illinois waiting period is counted in working days. Back after 10 calendar days, the nurse is paid $1,200 for 7 days in our estimate, which counts calendar days; out 20 days, the full $3,429. Employers must report to the Commission every accident that causes more than three lost workdays.
A lower ceiling for permanent partial
Permanent partial disability that is not an amputation or the loss of an eye has its own maximum, updated each July 1: $1,084.66 for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Amputations and enucleation are paid under the higher death and permanent total maximum. If only TTD, PPD or medical expenses are disputed, parties may agree to voluntary binding arbitration before an arbitrator recommended by the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board (Section 19(p)). Death benefits are paid for 25 years or $500,000, whichever is greater, and death and PTD recipients may get cost-of-living adjustments through the Rate Adjustment Fund.
The Illinois rules this calculator applies
| Rule | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Temporary total disability rate | 66.67% of gross average weekly wage before taxes |
| Weekly maximum | $2,045.63 |
| Weekly minimum | $400 |
| Applies to | July 15, 2026 - January 14, 2027 (SAWW $1,534.22); January 15 - July 14, 2026: max $2,008.60 |
| Waiting period | 3 days, paid back when the disability lasts more than 14 days |
| Limit on temporary total benefits | no fixed number of weeks |
Rate. Two-thirds of the employee's average weekly wage (820 ILCS 305/8(b)), up to the IWCC maximum, which is reset every January 15 and July 15 from the statewide average weekly wage published by IDES (Section 8(b)6). source
Waiting period. No TTD is paid for the first 3 working days unless the incapacity extends beyond 14 days, in which case compensation is paid from the start (820 ILCS 305/8(b)). source
Duration. TTD is paid for the duration of temporary total incapacity, with no fixed week cap (820 ILCS 305/8(b)). source
Permanent disability. Permanent partial disability (other than amputation or enucleation) has its own maximum, updated each July 1: $1,084.66 for July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026; PPD minimums equal the TTD minimums. Wage-differential awards under Section 8(d)1 are capped at the SAWW. Amputation/enucleation PPD uses the higher death/PTD maximum ($2,045.63 from July 15, 2026). Schedule of weeks per member in 820 ILCS 305/8(e). source
Worth knowing in Illinois
- Illinois resets its maximum and minimum rates twice a year, on January 15 and July 15, from the statewide average weekly wage published by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (Section 8(b)6). source
- The TTD minimum rises with the number of dependents (from $400.00 with none to $600.00 with four or more) and is tied to the state minimum wage, which reached $15.00/hour on January 1, 2025. source
- Death benefits are paid for 25 years or $500,000, whichever is greater, and death and PTD recipients may get cost-of-living adjustments through the Rate Adjustment Fund. source
- If only TTD, PPD or medical expenses are disputed, parties may agree to voluntary binding arbitration before an arbitrator recommended by the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board (Section 19(p)). source