A recent change to the Illinois Wage and Payment Collection Act increases the amount that you can collect from your employer if you are not paid wages or tips when they are due. The law requires employers to pay employees semi-monthly, or at least twice per month. You can get paid more often, but you have to be paid at least twice per month (unless you are a professional or executive employee). Commissions can be paid once per month.
If wages, tips, or commissions are not paid in full within 13 days after the end of the pay period in which they were earned, the employer becomes liable for 5% interest per month on the unpaid amount. Final compensation is also subject to the same interest rate. If you leave your job for any reason, the law requires that your final compensation must be paid in full at the time of separation, if possible, but in no case later than the next regularly scheduled payday.
There are also special rules about reimbursement for personal expenses that you incur on your employer's behalf and what deductions they can take out of your paychecks. One of the more significant provisions, however, is that the employer has to pay your legal fees if you need to hire a lawyer to collect your compensation. Give me a call with any questions.