Chicago launches push to inform artists of labor rights
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Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
Chicago's cultural and labor departments are reminding artists and other creative workers that they have legal rights even if they're not operating in a traditional work setting.
Why it matters: The city's "Creative Worker Rights: Art is Labor" campaign reminds workers that city and state laws protect them from wage theft and unfair labor conditions, even if they're independent contractors.
The big picture: The creative economy generates $50 billion in annual economic output in Chicago, according to Arts Alliance Illinois, and is the city's third-largest employer.
The latest: The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Chicago Film Office will screen "Showing Up" on Wednesday as part of a series about working artists.
State of play: Illinois' Freelance Worker Protection Act took effect in 2024 and covers many workers in the creative sector.
- The city's wage theft ordinance applies to all workers. If you're hired to paint a mural, for example, you could file a complaint if you didn't receive full payment for your work, Miguel Campos, the city's director of labor standards, explains.
- Campos recommends all workers keep detailed records. Instagram messages, text messages and proof of Zelle payment could all be useful for the Chicago Office of Labor Standards to investigate claims of worker mistreatment, payment disputes or retaliation.
What they're saying: "The COVID-19 pandemic further emphasized artists' role in the economy and culture," DCASE Commissioner Kenya Merritt tells Axios.
- "When you didn't have an opportunity to go to a concert, when you didn't have an opportunity to go to the theater, I think that certainly offered the opportunity for us to think about the value that creative workers bring," Merritt adds.
Go deeper: The city's Creative Worker Rights site includes detailed webinars on labor laws and city ordinances that protect artists and creative workers.