Illinois Holidays 2026
Illinois has 11 federal holidays and 3 state holidays in 2026. Private employers don't have to give any of them.
Last updated on Nov 1, 2026
11 federal holidays, 3 state holidays and 2 commonly given in 2026.
11 federal holidays and 3 state holidays in 2026.
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All 2026 holidays in Illinois
18 days listed| Month | Date | Holiday | Type | Paid by law? | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1Thu | New Year's Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| 19Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | ||
| February | 12Thu | Lincoln's Birthday | State | Not required for private employers | |
| 16Mon | Washington's Birthday | Federal | Not required for private employers | ||
| March | 2Mon | Casimir Pulaski DayCommemorative holiday; state offices stay open | Observance | Not a day off | |
| April | 5Sun | Easter Sunday | Observance | Not a day off | |
| May | 25Mon | Memorial Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| June | 19Fri | Juneteenth | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| July | 4Sat | Independence DayFalls on a Saturday. Observed Fri Jul 3 | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| September | 7Mon | Labor Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| October | 12Mon | Columbus Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| November | 3Tue | Election Day | State | Not required for private employers | |
| 11Wed | Veterans Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | ||
| 26Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | ||
| 27Fri | Day after Thanksgiving | State | Not required for private employers | ||
| December | 24Thu | Christmas Eve | Commonly given | Not required | |
| 25Fri | Christmas Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | ||
| 31Thu | New Year's Eve | Commonly given | Not required |
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What employers need to know
Paid holidays
Illinois law doesn't entitle employees to holiday pay. An employer and employee can agree to use benefit time, such as vacation or PTO, for days the business is closed.
Working on a holiday
Illinois employers don't have to pay time and a half or double time for work on a legal holiday or Sunday. Overtime is still owed if that work takes the employee over 40 hours in the workweek, and a policy promising holiday premium pay must be honored.
Holiday pay at separation
Illinois employers don't owe holiday pay when an employee leaves, unless they promised it in an employment contract or other agreement.
Holidays that fall on a weekend
Federal offices observe Saturday holidays on Friday and Sunday holidays on Monday.
Unused vacation when someone leaves
Illinois requires employers to pay out earned, unused vacation when an employee leaves. This applies to the vacation or general PTO the employer's policy provides.
From our Illinois leave laws guidePaid leave
Illinois requires all private employers to give paid leave that can be used for any reason. Employees accrue 1 hour for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours in a 12-month period.
From our Illinois leave laws guideMaximize your PTO in 2026
These are our suggestions for the best days to take off in Illinois. They use the 11 federal holidays plus the days Illinois state offices close for: Lincoln's Birthday, Election Day and Day after Thanksgiving. Take all 13 suggested PTO days and you get 51 days off across 12 breaks, including 9 long weekends. Pick a break to see it on the calendar.
- Federal
- State
- Commonly given
- Suggested PTO day
- Weekend
- Today
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
When Illinois teams take time off
The 5 weeks when the most Illinois employees using Vacation Tracker were off, compared with an average week.
- Dec 21 – 27Week 52 3.1× a normal week3.1×
- Aug 3 – 9Week 32 1.8× a normal week1.8×
- Jul 6 – 12Week 28 1.6× a normal week1.6×
- Aug 10 – 16Week 33 1.4× a normal week1.4×
- Jun 15 – 21Week 25 1.4× a normal week1.4×
How Illinois holidays differ
State holidays
Illinois has 3 holidays of its own in 2026 on top of the federal ones. The median across the 50 states and DC is 2; 14 have more and 31 have fewer.
Shared with a few states
Lincoln's Birthday is also a state holiday in Connecticut, Indiana, Missouri and New York.
Federal holidays
Illinois state offices observe all 11 federal holidays.
Neighboring states in 2026
- Indiana4 holidays of its own
- Iowa1 holiday of its own
- Kentucky5 holidays of its own
- Missouri2 holidays of its own
- Wisconsin4 holidays of its own
Sources
- Illinois CMS memo – State Holiday Calendar for 2026 and 2027 (Nov 18, 2025)
- Illinois CMS – State Holidays
- 5 ILCS 490 State Commemorative Dates Act
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal holidays
- Holiday FAQ - Illinois Department of Labor
- Minimum Wage/Overtime FAQ - Illinois Department of Labor
- Wage Payment and Collection Act FAQ - Illinois Department of Labor
- FLSA Hours Worked Advisor: Holidays, Vacations and Sick Time | U.S. Department of Labor
Holiday calendar data includes date-holidays (CC BY-SA 3.0), checked against the official sources above.
Last updated on Nov 1, 2026. Holiday dates come from public sources. Check your employment contract and the official sources above before you rely on them.
Frequently asked questions
No. Illinois law doesn't entitle employees to holiday pay. Employers and employees can agree to use vacation, sick or PTO time for holiday closures.
In 2026, Illinois has the 11 federal holidays and 3 state holidays: Lincoln's Birthday (February 12), Election Day (November 3) and Day after Thanksgiving (November 27).
Yes. Juneteenth is a federal holiday and an Illinois state holiday. In 2026 it falls on Friday, June 19.
Yes. Columbus Day is a federal holiday and an Illinois state holiday. In 2026 it falls on Monday, October 12.
Yes. The day after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 27) is an Illinois state holiday. Private employers don't have to give it.
No. Illinois employers don't have to pay time and a half or double time for holiday work, but they must pay overtime for hours over 40 in the workweek and must honor any policy that promises a holiday premium.
Under federal law (the FLSA), paid time off for a holiday isn't hours worked, so it doesn't have to be counted toward the 40 hours for overtime.
Federal offices observe Saturday holidays on Friday and Sunday holidays on Monday. In 2026, Independence Day falls on a Saturday and is observed on Friday, July 3.