Illinois workers' comp: how much does it pay?

Temporary total disability rate, weekly maximum and waiting period for Illinois, read from the state's own published figures.

Illinois temporary total disability at a glance

For injuries from July 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027, Illinois pays temporary total disability at 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $2,045.63 a week. The cap starts to limit the benefit at an average weekly wage of about $3,068.

Benefit rate66 2/3% of the average weekly wage

Maximum weekly benefit$2,045.63

How the maximum is set133 1/3% of the state average weekly wage, reset every January 15 and July 15

Minimum weekly benefit$400 with no dependents, rising to $600 with four or more; never more than the worker's wage

Applies to injuriesfrom July 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027

Waiting periodIllinois pays temporary total disability when incapacity lasts more than 3 working days; if it continues for 14 days or more from the day of the accident, compensation starts on the day after the accident (820 ILCS 305/8(b)).

The workers' comp calculator has no Illinois preset. Its custom mode applies a flat two-thirds rate to the cap you enter and does not model Illinois's minimums by number of dependents and its 3-working-day waiting period.

What Illinois pays at different wages

Calculated from the rate, maximum and minimum above for an eligible worker with temporary total disability. Above about $3,068 a week, every extra dollar of wage adds nothing to the benefit.

$1,000 a week$666.67 (67% of wage)

$1,500 a week$1,000.00 (67% of wage)

$2,000 a week$1,333.33 (67% of wage)

$2,500 a week$1,666.67 (67% of wage)

$3,000 a week$2,000.00 (67% of wage)

$4,000 a week$2,045.63 (51% of wage)

How Illinois sets the benefit

Illinois has one of the highest temporary total disability caps in the country because the maximum is set at 133 1/3% of the state average weekly wage, and it is reset twice a year rather than annually.

The minimum depends on the number of dependents: for July 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027 the Commission lists $400 with no spouse or children, $460 with one, $520 with two, $580 with three and $600 with four or more, or the worker's average weekly wage if that is lower. The examples below use wages high enough that the minimum does not apply.

These figures are for temporary total disability only. Partial, permanent and death benefits use different rules and caps, and eligibility, the average weekly wage calculation and the injury date all have to be confirmed with the claims administrator or the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

Frequently asked questions

How much does workers' comp pay in Illinois?

What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Illinois?

$2,045.63 a week for temporary total disability, for injuries from July 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027. 133 1/3% of the state average weekly wage, reset every January 15 and July 15. The maximum that applies is the one in force on your date of injury, not today.

Is there a waiting period for workers' comp in Illinois?

Illinois pays temporary total disability when incapacity lasts more than 3 working days; if it continues for 14 days or more from the day of the accident, compensation starts on the day after the accident (820 ILCS 305/8(b)).

Are Illinois workers' comp benefits taxed?

Generally not by the federal government: IRS Publication 525 says workers' compensation for an occupational sickness or injury is not included in income, with a narrow exception for amounts treated as a pension based on years of service.

Sources & further reading

Figures read from the official sources below and checked: October 20, 2026. Worked examples are our calculations, not benefit awards.

Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission: benefits — TTD maximum of $2,045.63 for July 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027 and the minimum rates by number of dependents.

820 ILCS 305/8 — the 66 2/3% rate, the 3-working-day waiting period and the 14-day retroactive rule.

IRS Publication 525 — workers' compensation for occupational sickness or injury is not included in income.

Illinois workers' comp: how much does it pay?

Illinois temporary total disability at a glance

What Illinois pays at different wages

How Illinois sets the benefit

Frequently asked questions

Workers' comp in other states

Sources & further reading