Chicago Per Diem Rates 2026 (FY2027)
The FY2027 GSA per diem for Chicago, IL is $148 to $238 per night lodging (peak Apr–Jun) + $92 M&IE, $240 to $330 per day.
Effective Thu, Oct 1, 2026 to Thu, Sep 30, 2027. Covers Cook / Lake.
$148–$238
Lodging per night
peak Apr–Jun
$92
M&IE per day
$69 on first/last day
$330
Max total per day
$238 + $92, peak season
+82%
Peak vs standard rate
standard $113 + $68 = $181
Lodging by season in Chicago
Standard rate: $113/night (cities without their own listing)
- Oct 1–Nov 30$232
- Dec 1–Mar 31$148
- Apr 1–Jun 30$238
- Jul 1–Aug 31$213
- Sep 1–Sep 30$232
Cheapest: $148 (Dec–Mar). Peak: $238 (Apr–Jun), $90 more per night.
Meals and incidentals in Chicago: $92 a day
Breakfast
$23
Lunch
$26
Dinner
$38
Incidentals
$5
First/last day (75%)
$69
Example: Monday to Thursday in Chicago
Mon, Feb 1, 2027 to Thu, Feb 4, 2027, 3 nights in the Dec 1–Mar 31 season ($148/night). Maximum allowance.
Lodging
$444
3 x $148
Meals and incidentals
$322
2 x $69 + 2 x $92 = $138 + $184
Total
$766
$444 + $322
Calculate your Chicago trip
Chicago, IL: 2 nights, 3 travel days
Maximum per diem for this trip
$694
Lodging
$464
Meals and incidentals (M&IE)
$230
First report free: log real expenses next to your per diem and export a PDF or Excel expense report.
Day-by-day breakdown
| Date | Lodging | M&IE | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 9, 2026 | $232 | $69 | First day, 75% M&IE |
| Tue, Nov 10, 2026 | $232 | $92 | Full day, 100% M&IE |
| Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | none | $69 | Last day, 75% M&IE |
| Total | $464 | $230 |
Lodging is the maximum nightly rate for the season that covers each night, not a flat allowance for hotel receipts. M&IE here is $92 per day at Chicago, IL: breakfast $23, lunch $26, dinner $38, incidentals $5; first and last day $69.
Turn this into a trip report
Log expenses and receipts during your Chicago trip and export a PDF and Excel report. Tracking is free and your first trip report is free; after that $3.99 per trip or $19 a year for unlimited reports.
Chicago per diem FAQ
What is the per diem rate in Chicago for 2026?
The FY2027 GSA per diem for Chicago, IL is $148 to $238 per night lodging (peak Apr–Jun) + $92 M&IE, $240 to $330 per day. Fiscal year 2027 runs from Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027. The standard rate for places without their own listing is $113 lodging + $68 M&IE.
How is per diem calculated on the first and last day in Chicago?
M&IE is paid at 75% on the first and last day of travel: $69 instead of $92 at the Chicago rate. Full days in between get $92. Lodging is paid per night at the rate of that night's season.
Which counties does the Chicago per diem rate cover?
The Chicago rate applies to the area GSA lists as Cook / Lake. Trips elsewhere in Illinois use the standard rate unless that place has its own listing.
Does the Chicago per diem change by season?
Yes. Lodging is $148 per night in Dec–Mar and $238 per night in Apr–Jun. All 5 seasons: Oct 1–Nov 30 $232; Dec 1–Mar 31 $148; Apr 1–Jun 30 $238; Jul 1–Aug 31 $213; Sep 1–Sep 30 $232. M&IE stays $92 per day all year.
Data: GSA FY2027 per diem rates, effective Oct 1, 2026 (public domain; source gsa.gov). Last checked Sat, Oct 31, 2026. Easy Trip Expenses is not affiliated with the GSA. Results are the maximum allowance, not a guarantee of what your employer pays.