Chicago alders keep tipped raises and DCASE boss
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Illinois Restaurant Association CEO Sam Toia speaks after the Chicago City Council failed to override a mayoral veto of the tipped wage freeze. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
The Chicago City Council on Wednesday fell short of overriding Mayor Brandon Johnson's veto of the tipped minimum wage freeze.
Why it matters: The high-stakes vote preserves planned raises for tipped workers — a major win for labor advocates and a setback for the restaurant industry.
State of play: The vote came during a busy council meeting that also saw a new cultural affairs commissioner confirmed, zoning power reshuffled and a police reform measure delayed.
Tipped wage: Alders fell four votes short of the 34 they needed to override Johnson's veto of a measure that would have frozen the tipped minimum wage at a level 24% lower than the regular minimum wage.
- Illinois Restaurant Association CEO Sam Toia told Axios he will work with alders to reach a compromise that could include helping restaurants with property taxes or a two-year freeze on raises.
- Ald. Walter "Red" Burnett abstained from voting because, he tells Axios, he's pushing a third way that involves a one-year wage freeze along with greater financial transparency from restaurants to craft more informed legislation.
- Springfield legislators are considering regulating wages at the state level this spring.
DCASE boss: The council confirmed Kenya Merritt as the new commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events after the last commissioner, Clinée Hedspeth, left amid allegations of bullying and sexual harassment.
- A 27-year city worker, Merritt had been serving as interim commissioner since last year. Still, some alders pushed to delay her confirmation until the resolution of a whistleblower lawsuit by a former top deputy commissioner against her, alleging retaliation and defamation.
Taxi fee hike: Alders OK'd a roughly 20% hike in cab fares, which would also add a $2.50 rush-hour fee on rides between 3:30pm and 7pm and a $1 overnight fee on rides between 8pm and 6am.
Villegas is in the zone: Council members voted to make Ald. Gil Villegas, the new chair of the powerful zoning committee, despite efforts by freshman Ald. Bennett Lawson, who served as interim zoning chair for months, is set to take over the role.
Screening for extremism: A measure aimed at ridding the Chicago Police Department of staffers linked to extremist groups was punted to a future meeting. Sponsor Ald. Matt Martin tells Axios he hopes to bring it up for a vote in May or June.
CPS May Day: After Wednesday's meeting, Johnson weighed in on the controversy over closing schools on May 1 to accommodate those who want to attend protest events.
- "May 1 is going to happen," Johnson said, adding that he will direct "sister agencies" to notify parents about alternate accommodations for students.