Chicago Construction News staff writer
Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a proclamation declaring June 24-28, “‘Chicago Workers’ Rights Week” to bring attention to upcoming labor law changes. An increased minimum wage, the first increase in the sub-minimum wage, and a new City of Chicago Paid Time Off policy will all go into effect July 1.
“On July 1, we are taking the first step towards a Chicago that treats its workers with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” Johnson said. “All workers deserve to make at least the minimum wage and workers should not have to choose between their lives and their livelihoods.
“These historic changes will further make Chicago the best place to work in the country and a city that uplifts its workers and working families.”
The mayor will attend a panel discussion today with the Raise the Floor Alliance and a labor trainee event with LiUNA Laborers’ Local 1001 on Wednesday, to raise awareness about these upcoming changes.
Beginning July 1, 2024:
- The minimum wage will be $16.20.
- The minimum wage for subsidized youth employment programs, and subsidized transitional employment programs will be $15.
- The minimum wage will no longer be tiered for large and small businesses.
The One Fair Wage Ordinance was passed by the Chicago City Council in October of 2023, phasing out the subminimum wage for tipped workers over a five-year period. This legislation will provide for the wages of tipped workers such as restaurant servers, bartenders, bussers, and runners who earn a subminimum wage of $11.02 per hour to increase by 8 percent per year until it reaches parity with Chicago’s standard hourly minimum wage on July 1, 2028.
The Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance (Paid Time Off policy) was passed on Nov. 9, 2023, guaranteeing up to five days of paid vacation time and five days of paid sick time for all Chicago workers who work at least 80 hours within any 120-day period – doubling the number of guaranteed paid time off for Chicago’s workers.
For more information, visit Chicago.gov/Labor Standards.
