Illinois holidays 2026
Illinois observes 14 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 11 federal holidays and 3 Illinois-specific holidays. Dates below show the actual date and, where a holiday falls on a weekend, the day it is observed.
Federal holidays observed in Illinois
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jan 19 | Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Feb 16 | Mon | Washington's Birthday Federal holiday | — | Officially "Washington's Birthday" (federal name: "Presidents' Day"). President's Day |
| May 25 | Mon | Memorial Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jun 19 | Fri | Juneteenth National Independence Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jul 4 | Sat | Independence Day Federal holiday | Fri, Jul 3 | |
| Sep 7 | Mon | Labor Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Oct 12 | Mon | Columbus Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Veterans Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Nov 26 | Thu | Thanksgiving Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Dec 25 | Fri | Christmas Day Federal holiday | — |
Dates computed from the governing statutes and last verified October 3, 2026. Years beyond officially published schedules are projected from the rule that sets the date.
Illinois state holidays
Paid days off for Illinois state employees that are not federal holidays. Post offices, federal offices and most banks stay open on these days.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 12 | Thu | Lincoln's Birthday State holiday | — | State holiday |
| Nov 3 | Tue | General Election Day State holiday | — | Even-numbered years only ('No General Election' in 2027) |
| Nov 27 | Fri | Day After Thanksgiving State holiday | — | Second day of the Thanksgiving holiday for state employees |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | Mon | Groundhog Day Observance | — | |
| Feb 8 | Sun | Super Bowl Sunday Observance | — | |
| Feb 14 | Sat | Valentine's Day Observance | — | |
| Feb 18 | Wed | Ash Wednesday Religious observance | — | |
| Mar 2 | Mon | Casimir Pulaski Day Observance | — | Commemorative holiday on the first Monday in March; no longer on the state-employee closure schedule |
| Mar 8 | Sun | Daylight Saving Time Begins Observance | — | |
| Mar 17 | Tue | St. Patrick's Day Observance | — | |
| Mar 29 | Sun | Palm Sunday Religious observance | — | |
| Apr 1 | Wed | April Fools' Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday Religious observance | — | |
| Apr 15 | Wed | Tax Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 22 | Wed | Earth Day Observance | — | |
| May 5 | Tue | Cinco de Mayo Observance | — | |
| May 10 | Sun | Mother's Day Observance | — | |
| May 16 | Sat | Armed Forces Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 14 | Sun | Flag Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 21 | Sun | Father's Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 11 | Fri | Patriot Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 13 | Sun | National Grandparents Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 17 | Thu | Constitution Day Observance | — | |
| Oct 31 | Sat | Halloween Observance | — | |
| Nov 1 | Sun | Daylight Saving Time Ends Observance | — | |
| Nov 30 | Mon | Cyber Monday Observance | — | |
| Dec 7 | Mon | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Observance | — | |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Kwanzaa Observance | — |
Long weekends in Illinois, 2026
What closes
State offices, courts and driver-license offices close on the paid state holidays above; most public schools follow the state calendar. Banks and the post office follow the federal list, not the state one.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Illinois have in 2026?
Illinois observes 14 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 11 federal holidays plus 3 Illinois-specific holidays (Lincoln's Birthday, General Election Day, Day After Thanksgiving).
What is the next holiday in Illinois?
The next holiday in Illinois is General Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (Tomorrow).
Does Illinois observe all federal holidays?
Illinois observes all 11 federal holidays as paid holidays for state employees, in addition to its own state days.
Are banks and post offices closed on Illinois state holidays?
Not necessarily. U.S. Post Offices and the Federal Reserve follow the federal holiday schedule, so they stay open on Illinois-only holidays. State offices, courts, DMV branches and many public schools close on state holidays; private businesses set their own policy.