Illinois Workers’ Comp Pay Calculator
Off work because of a work injury? Get a quick estimate of your weekly workers’ comp check. It takes 10 seconds.
An estimate only, not a promise of benefits. The insurer works out your exact rate from your actual wages. Rates for injuries from July 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027.
Benefits depend on your doctor’s notes. TTD is paid while a doctor has you off work or on restrictions your employer cannot meet. Illinois Orthopedic Network usually sees injured workers the same day or the next.
How Illinois workers’ comp pay works
- Two-thirds of your average weekly wage. Usually based on your regular pay over the 52 weeks before the injury.
- Maximum: $2,045.63 a week for injuries from July 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027. For injuries from January 15 to July 14, 2026, it was $2,008.60.
- Minimum: $400 a week with no dependents, up to $600 with four or more. If you earn less than the minimum, you get your full weekly wage.
- Waiting period: no pay for the first three days off, unless you are off 14 days or more.
- Timing: the first payment should come within 14 days after your employer is told about the injury, then on your normal payday schedule.
Minimum weekly rates
| Spouse and children under 18 | Minimum per week |
|---|---|
| None | $400.00 |
| 1 | $460.00 |
| 2 | $520.00 |
| 3 | $580.00 |
| 4 or more | $600.00 |
Want the full picture? Read what workers’ comp pays (and what it doesn’t) and who pays for treatment.
Common questions
How much does workers’ comp pay in Illinois?
While a doctor has you off work, temporary total disability (TTD) is usually two-thirds of your average weekly wage. It cannot go above the state maximum, which is $2,045.63 a week for injuries from July 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027, or below the state minimum for your number of dependents.
When does workers’ comp pay start?
There is no pay for the first three days off work, unless you are off 14 days or more, in which case those three days are paid too. The first payment should come within 14 days after your employer is told about the injury, and then on the same schedule as your regular paycheck.
Is overtime included in my average weekly wage?
Usually not. Your average weekly wage is generally based on your regular earnings over the 52 weeks before the injury. Overtime is usually left out unless it was regular and required. The insurer works out the exact figure.
Is workers’ comp taxable?
Workers’ compensation benefits paid under a state workers’ compensation law are generally not subject to federal income tax, according to IRS Publication 525. Ask a tax professional about your own situation.
What if I am on light duty for less pay?
If you go back to lighter work for less money while you heal, you may receive temporary partial disability (TPD), generally two-thirds of the difference between what you earned before and what you earn now.
Sources
- Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Benefit Rates
- Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Handbook on Workers’ Compensation
- Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305/8
- IRS Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Last reviewed October 28, 2026.