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Chicago per diem rates

The FY2027 GSA rates for Chicago, from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027: a lodging cap of US$148 to US$238 a night depending on the dates, and US$92 a day for meals and incidental expenses.

Guests checking in at a hotel reception

Chicago per diem for FY2027

  • Lodging, per nightUS$148 to US$238
  • Meals and incidentals, per dayUS$92
  • First and last day, mealsUS$69

Chicago per diem, FY2027

Lodging is capped per night at the rate for that night's date. Meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) are a flat amount per day. The daily maximum is the two together.

DatesLodging per nightM&IE per dayDaily maximum
1 Oct to 30 Nov 2026US$232US$92US$324
1 Dec to 31 Mar 2027US$148US$92US$240
1 Apr to 30 Jun 2027US$238US$92US$330
1 Jul to 31 Aug 2027US$213US$92US$305
1 Sept to 30 Sept 2027US$232US$92US$324

US$92 M&IE, by meal

BreakfastUS$23
LunchUS$26
DinnerUS$38
Incidental expensesUS$5
First and last day (75%)US$69

Example: three nights at the peak rate

A trip during 1 Apr to 30 Jun 2027, when lodging is capped at US$238 a night. Two full days in between and two travel days.

3 nights × US$238US$714
2 full days × US$92US$184
2 travel days × US$69US$138
Maximum for the tripUS$1,036

Chicago per diem, FY2026

October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. Use these for travel in that period, even when the claim is paid later.

DatesLodging per nightM&IE per dayDaily maximum
1 Oct to 30 Nov 2025US$223US$92US$315
1 Dec to 31 Mar 2026US$142US$92US$234
1 Apr to 30 Jun 2026US$234US$92US$326
1 Jul to 31 Aug 2026US$202US$92US$294
1 Sept to 30 Sept 2026US$223US$92US$315

Chicago and the IRS high-low method

Chicago is a high-cost locality from 1 October to 30 November and 1 April to 30 September under IRS Notice 2026-60, and takes the low rate the rest of the year. An employer using the high-low method can pay up to US$329 a day in those months and US$230 a day otherwise.

Per diem rates in other cities

Frequently asked questions

For FY2027, from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027: lodging up to US$148 to US$238 a night depending on the dates, and US$92 a day for meals and incidental expenses.

GSA lists it as: Cook / Lake. A destination outside that area takes its own county's rate, or the standard rate of US$113 for lodging and US$68 for M&IE.

75% of the M&IE rate, US$69 in Chicago. Lodging is paid for each night at the rate for that night's date.

The highest lodging rate is US$238 in FY2027 against US$234 in FY2026, and M&IE is US$92 against US$92. The full FY2026 table is on this page.

Not up to these rates, when the employee records the dates, place and business purpose of the trip under an accountable plan. Any amount above the federal rate is taxable wages.

Where these numbers come from

Lodging and M&IE are copied from GSA's FY2027 and FY2026 per diem files. The high-low status is from IRS Notice 2026-60.

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Travel claims coded before you're home

Smartbills keeps the per diem, the bookings and the card charges from a trip together. The claim is already coded by the time the traveller gets back.

See expense management