Illinois Restaurant Workers
Chicago passed the One Fair Wage Ordinance in October 2023 — phasing out the subminimum tipped wage in the country’s third-largest restaurant city. Restaurant employment grew after the change, not declined. In May 2026 the City Council paused the phase-out, pushing full elimination to 2028 and 2030. The law stands; the timeline slipped. We’re organizing to finish what Chicago started, and to build support statewide.
OFW Chicago organizing in downtown Chicago.
The Chicago Win
In October 2023, the Chicago City Council passed the One Fair Wage Ordinance — phasing out the tipped subminimum wage in the city over five years. The restaurant industry lobby predicted closures, layoffs, and disaster. None of that happened. Restaurant employment in Chicago is up. Tips are up. The doomsday predictions were what they always are: a defense of a profit model that depends on paying workers below the floor.
The industry lobby changed tactics. In March 2026 the City Council voted to freeze the phase-out; Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed it, and the override failed. In May 2026 the Council voted again to pause the phase-out for two years — holding the tipped wage at $12.62 and pushing full elimination to 2028 for restaurants with more than 20 workers and 2030 for smaller ones. The ordinance is still law. Chicago workers are organizing to get the timeline back.
OFW Chicago organized 300+ restaurant workers to testify, partnered with high-road operators willing to break with the National Restaurant Association, and built the coalition that delivered the votes. Now we’re taking that playbook to Springfield.
The Statewide Push
The Chicago model only works if it’s the floor, not the ceiling. OFW Illinois is organizing with workers, high-road operators, and coalition partners to restore the Chicago timeline and build support for a statewide floor with no subminimum carve-outs — so the win reaches every restaurant worker in the state.
Who’s affected
Black tipped workers in Illinois earn substantially less than white tipped workers in the same city, the same restaurant, on the same shift — documented in OFW’s Black Tipped Workers in Illinois report. Women make up the majority of Illinois tipped workers. The state’s ~450,000 restaurant workers are who this fight is for.
Three reports to start with
Chicago Success Story
The post-ordinance data: restaurant employment, tips, closure rates. The receipts that the industry lobby was wrong.
Read the report →Black Tipped Workers in Illinois
A cost-of-living crisis disproportionately falling on Black restaurant workers in the state.
Read the report →Will Work for Fair Wages: Illinois
Worker testimony from across the state on what tipped pay actually looks like.
Read the report →What Chicago voters say
October 2025 polling from Lake Research Partners: 67% of Chicago voters support a $30 minimum wage, with a +46 margin and 52% strongly supporting. After voters hear the engaged debate — OFW’s case and opposition arguments — support grows to 70% with +50 margin. The opposition arguments fail. Demographic breakdowns: Democrats 74%, women 72%, voters under 40 at 75%, Black voters 81%.
From Illinois workers
I’ve worked in fine dining for 15 years and I still can’t afford to live in Chicago without roommates.
Server Fine dining, 15 years — Chicago, IL
I work alongside single mothers fighting for independence and students putting themselves through school — working long, exhausting shifts without basic protections or guaranteed wages. The cost of living keeps rising — rent, gas, groceries — it’s getting harder just to survive. After eight years in this industry, I know we deserve better.
Anneliese Jackson Service industry, 8 years — Elgin, IL
From Illinois operators
To offer a fair wage, everyone must be on board. We can’t be the only restaurant on the block that increases prices to cover higher wages. To be fair to everyone, this needs to be a mandate.
Beth Wagner Owner, Honky Tonk BBQ — Chicago, IL
It’s time to end the subminimum wage, allowing for restaurant owners who want to invest in our employees to compete on a level playing field with low road employers down the street who continue to leverage poverty level wages to subjugate their workers.
Monique Carter Owner, MJB Restaurant Group — Chicago, IL
Chicago Passed It. Now We Organize To Finish It.
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