Chicago Alders Preserve Tipped Wage Hikes, Confirm New DCASE Boss

Restaurant industry vows to push for state-level regulation or compromise proposal after council falls short on veto override.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:11pm

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In a closely watched vote, the Chicago City Council failed to override Mayor Brandon Johnson's veto of a measure that would have frozen the tipped minimum wage at a level 24% lower than the regular minimum wage. The high-stakes vote preserves planned raises for tipped workers, a major win for labor advocates but a setback for the restaurant industry. The council also confirmed Kenya Merritt as the new commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, despite some alders pushing to delay the confirmation.

Why it matters

The tipped minimum wage vote is a significant development in the ongoing debate over wages and worker protections in Chicago's restaurant industry. The preservation of planned raises for tipped workers is a victory for labor advocates, but the restaurant industry has vowed to push for state-level regulation or a compromise proposal. The confirmation of the new DCASE commissioner also has implications for the city's cultural programming and events.

The details

The council fell four votes short of the 34 needed to override Mayor Johnson's veto of the tipped minimum wage freeze. Illinois Restaurant Association CEO Sam Toia said the group will work with alders on a compromise that could include helping restaurants with property taxes or a two-year freeze on raises. Ald. Walter "Red" Burnett abstained, saying he's pushing a one-year wage freeze along with greater financial transparency from restaurants. Meanwhile, the council confirmed Kenya Merritt as the new DCASE commissioner after the last commissioner left amid allegations of bullying and sexual harassment. Some alders had pushed to delay the confirmation until the resolution of a whistleblower lawsuit against Merritt.

  • The Chicago City Council vote took place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
  • Illinois state legislators are considering regulating wages at the state level this spring.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who vetoed the measure to freeze the tipped minimum wage.

Sam Toia

The CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, who said the group will work with alders on a compromise proposal.

Walter "Red" Burnett

A Chicago alderman who abstained from voting on the tipped minimum wage measure, saying he's pushing a one-year wage freeze with greater financial transparency from restaurants.

Kenya Merritt

The new commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, confirmed by the Chicago City Council.

Clinée Hedspeth

The previous DCASE commissioner who left amid allegations of bullying and sexual harassment.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Springfield legislators are considering regulating wages at the state level this spring.

The takeaway

This vote highlights the ongoing tension between labor advocates and the restaurant industry in Chicago over tipped wages. While the preservation of planned raises is a win for workers, the industry has vowed to pursue a compromise or state-level regulation, signaling that this issue is far from settled.