RULE Illinois | Category Rules | Official Guidelines

[StateGigs]

Welcome to the Illinois category. This section is designed for listings and discussions related to:

• FOR HIRE – Individuals or businesses offering their services
• HIRING – Employers looking to fill positions
• SERVICES – Professional, trade, or local service offerings
• LOCAL EVENT – Community gatherings, announcements, and public events

All posts, replies, and content shared within this category must strictly comply with:

1. Applicable Illinois State Laws
2. Illinois Labor & Employment Regulations
3. Illinois Business & Commerce Codes
4. Google's Content & User-Contributed Policies

Our Commitment to Compliance​

We take legal and policy compliance seriously. Our platform is committed to operating in full accordance with Illinois state regulations, Illinois labor laws, and Google's community standards. Illinois has a comprehensive legal framework governing employment, business practices, and public postings, and we are dedicated to upholding them.

While we strive to keep our rules and references as accurate and up-to-date as possible, please note that laws and policies can change. The information and links provided here serve as our primary guidance and roadmap, but they may not reflect the absolute latest amendments.

We believe in transparency and accountability – for both our users and our team.

Official References​

To ensure clarity and eliminate excuses like "I didn't know" or "I couldn't find it," we strongly encourage all users to review the official sources directly:

Reference	Official Link
Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) – Official codified laws of Illinois, including Chapter 820 (Employment)	https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp
Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) – Labor law compliance, wage and hour, workplace safety	https://labor.illinois.gov/
IDOL – Laws and Rules – Minimum wage, overtime, and labor standards enforcement	https://labor.illinois.gov/laws-rules.html
Illinois Secretary of State – Business Services – Business registration, entity search, and compliance	https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/business_services/
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) – Professional licensing and regulation	https://idfpr.illinois.gov/
Illinois General Assembly – Track legislation, session laws, and public acts	https://ilga.gov/
Google User-Contributed Content Policy – Spam, harassment, illegal content, and community standards	https://support.google.com/googleshopping/answer/10012515
Google Terms of Service – General platform rules and enforcement	https://policies.google.com/terms

These are the foundational documents we use to evaluate content and enforce our rules.

Illinois Labor & Employment Laws – What You Need to Know​

Illinois law sets clear standards for employers, workers, and service providers. All hiring and service posts must comply with the following:

• Minimum Wage: As of January 1, 2025, Illinois' minimum wage is $15.00 per hour for non-tipped employees. The tipped minimum wage is $9.00 per hour. These rates remain unchanged for 2026. Workers under 18 who work fewer than 650 hours per calendar year have a minimum wage of $13.00 per hour.
• Local Minimum Wages: The City of Chicago and Cook County have higher minimum wage rates that are adjusted annually for inflation. Chicago's minimum wage is adjusted each July 1 based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Additionally, Chicago is in a phased transition to eliminate the tip credit entirely by July 1, 2028, under the "One Fair Wage" ordinance. Cook County also adjusts its minimum wage annually on July 1. Employers operating in these jurisdictions must verify the current local rates before posting any hiring offers.
• Overtime Pay: Illinois requires premium pay after 40 hours in a workweek for non-exempt employees, consistent with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Illinois Minimum Wage Law.
• Workplace Rights: Illinois law prohibits discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. Workers have the right to file complaints with the Illinois Department of Labor or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (820 ILCS 115/) establishes strict requirements for timely payment of wages and final compensation.
• Licensing Requirements: Many professions – including contractors, electricians, plumbers, cosmetologists, real estate agents, and others – require a valid license issued by the appropriate Illinois licensing board or commission through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Anyone posting professional services must verify they hold the appropriate license.
• Notice Requirements: Employers must display required labor law postings in the workplace, including information about workers' compensation, anti-discrimination protections, wage rights, and paid leave requirements.

Enforcement & Penalties​

To maintain a safe, lawful, and respectful environment for everyone, we enforce the following:

• All posts and comments must comply with Illinois state law, Illinois labor regulations, Illinois business codes, and Google policies.
• If a post or reply is reportedand found to be in violation, we will:
  1. Investigate promptly – Our team reviews every report in a timely manner.
  2. Take immediate action – Content that violates our rules will be removed, edited, or hidden without prior notice.
  3. Apply penalties– The responsible user will receive:
     • A formal warning or notification
     • Penalty points added to their account
     • Repeat or severe violations may result in temporary suspension or permanent ban from the platform.

We reserve the right to take action against any content we deem inappropriate, even if it is not explicitly listed in this guideline.

Note: While our moderation team strives for consistency, all enforcement actions and interpretations of these rules are at the sole discretion of StateGigs Administration. Our decisions are final.

User Responsibility​

By posting in this Illinois category, you agree that:

• You have reviewed and understood the referenced laws and policies.
• You are solely responsible for the accuracy and legality of your content.
• You will not use ignorance of the rules as a defense if a violation occurs.
• If you are offering professional services, you hold any required Illinois licenses and will provide proof upon request.

We are not legal experts, and this guidance is provided in good faith to help our community stay compliant. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your posts meet all current legal and policy requirements.

Questions or Concerns?​

If you're unsure whether your post complies, or if you need clarification on any rule, feel free to reach out to our moderation team before posting. We're here to help – but we're also here to enforce.

Disclaimer – Governing Law​

This platform and its operations are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the state-specific category in which content is posted. By using this site, you agree that any legal disputes or claims arising from your use of the platform shall be resolved exclusively under Delaware jurisdiction. While we strive to align our category rules with applicable local laws, our governing framework remains rooted in Delaware law, and all enforcement actions are taken accordingly.

---

Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us keep this platform lawful, professional, and fair for everyone.

___________
StateGigs Administration