The minimum wage in Illinois will increase to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, completing a six-year transition period since the increase was approved in 2019.

Illinois employers are bracing for minimum-wage hikes, which may lead to more job cuts around the state. Illinois’ minimum wage is rising from $14 per hour to $15 on Jan 1, the final increase in a series of annual increases from a law Gov.

Murphy signed the $15 minimum wage increase in February 2019. Last December, Murphy said he was open to raising it as high as $18 or $20 an hour.