Chicago City Council to Vote on Restoring Subminimum Wage for Tipped Workers

Proposed ordinance would pause the city's One Fair Wage policy, which requires tipped workers be paid full minimum wage.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:36pm

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The Chicago City Council is set to vote on a proposal to restore the city's subminimum wage for tipped workers, potentially overriding Mayor Brandon Johnson's signature policy that requires tipped employees be paid the full minimum wage starting in 2028. The ordinance, backed by some council members, aims to pause the One Fair Wage policy passed in 2023, which has faced opposition from the restaurant industry who argue it has hurt businesses and led to reduced hours and staffing.

Why it matters

This vote represents the latest clash between Mayor Johnson and an antagonistic council bloc, with the mayor having already issued two vetoes in his first term. The outcome could have significant implications for tipped workers, many of whom are people of color and women, as well as the broader restaurant industry in Chicago.

The details

The pending ordinance would force a council floor vote to pause the One Fair Wage policy, which is currently in its third year of implementation. Supporters of the ordinance, like Ald. Samantha Nugent, argue the policy has been "detrimental" to the restaurant industry and led to business closures and reduced hours for servers. However, the mayor's office and supporters of the original policy, like Ald. Jessie Fuentes, say there is no definitive evidence the ordinance has caused widespread harm and that the raises are needed to address income inequality.

  • The City Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance on Wednesday, March 16, 2026.
  • The One Fair Wage policy is currently in its third year of implementation and is set to fully take effect in July 2028, requiring tipped workers be paid the city's full minimum wage of $16.60.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who championed the One Fair Wage policy and is expected to veto any effort to undo it.

Samantha Nugent

A Chicago alderman who is a sponsor of the pending legislation to restore the subminimum wage for tipped workers.

Jessie Fuentes

The Chicago alderman who was the chief sponsor of the 2023 One Fair Wage ordinance.

Eric Williams

The owner of Bronzeville Winery and The Silver Room in Hyde Park, who has argued the One Fair Wage policy has hurt his businesses.

Raeghn Draper

A bartender at Consignment Lounge in Avondale and an organizer with the One Fair Wage coalition, who argues the policy change is not supported by tipped workers.

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What they’re saying

“'We're not going back to the days where the government believed that some workers deserve less,'”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor (Chicago Tribune)

“'The reality is you are going to destroy restaurants in the city. The ones who (employ) black employees,'”

— Eric Williams, Restaurant Owner (Chicago Tribune)

“'People understand whether you work in restaurants or not, that coming after low wage workers wages is unacceptable,'”

— Raeghn Draper, Bartender and Organizer (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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