Illinois PTO and vacation calculator - 2026

Calculate your Illinois PTO balance, accrual rate, and payout value. Illinois does not require vacation payout by law. Track your vacation days and calculate what unused PTO is worth.

PTO balance calculator

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Your annual PTO allowance from employer
Days taken this year including pending
Approved future time off
PTO carried over from previous year

Illinois PTO laws - vacation payout and accrual rights

What Illinois law says about paid time off payout and accrual

Illinois does not require vacation payout by law

Employer policy enforced through Wage Payment Act

Illinois PTO law overview

Illinois does not require vacation payout by law but strongly enforces written employer policies through the Wage Payment and Collection Act. Earned vacation may be treated as wages if the employer's policy so provides.

Illinois courts have found that accrued vacation can constitute wages under the WPCL if the employer's written policy treats it as such. Illinois employers must clearly define their PTO payout policies.

Governing law

Illinois PTO and vacation law is governed by Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act 820 ILCS 115 (820 ILCS 115/2). The official authority for Illinois wage and hour enforcement including PTO disputes is the Illinois Department of Labor.

Official sources for Illinois PTO law:

Data: 820 ILCS 115/2. Last verified: 2026. PTO laws change. Consult an employment attorney for advice specific to your Illinois situation.

Frequently asked questions - PTO

Do employers have to pay out unused PTO when you leave?
It depends on your state. California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Rhode Island require employers to pay out all accrued unused PTO upon termination. Most other states allow employers to set their own policy - if your employer's policy says PTO is paid out, they must honor it. Always check your employee handbook and state law.
How is PTO accrual calculated?
PTO accrual is typically calculated as hours earned per pay period. For example, if you earn 15 days (120 hours) per year paid bi-weekly, you accrue 120 / 26 = 4.62 hours per pay period. Some employers give a lump sum at the start of the year instead of accruing gradually. Your employee handbook should specify your accrual method.
Can employers have a use-it-or-lose-it PTO policy?
In most states yes - employers can require you to use PTO by year end or forfeit it. However, California, Colorado, and a few other states prohibit use-it-or-lose-it policies because they classify accrued PTO as earned wages. In these states, unused PTO must roll over or be paid out.
What is the difference between PTO and vacation days?
PTO (Paid Time Off) is a combined bank of paid leave that covers vacation, sick days, and personal days. Traditional vacation days are separate from sick leave. Most modern employers use a single PTO bank for simplicity. The key difference is that PTO can be used for any reason, while vacation time is typically pre-scheduled and sick days require an illness.