Chicago Mayor’s Controversial Remarks on Tipping Wages

On Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterated his stance on the restaurant industry, controversially linking it to “slavery” while defending his initiative to eliminate tipped wages. This comes despite the City Council’s attempts to block the policy.

Johnson’s comments arose after the Chicago City Council couldn’t override his veto against a measure that aimed to prevent the phase-out of sub-minimum wages for tipped workers. His proposed policy seeks to ensure that all workers earn the full minimum wage by 2028. Restaurant owners have raised concerns, warning that this change could lead to increased prices and job losses.

Johnson urged Chicago residents to “demand that the city council stop taking wages away from Black and brown people,” emphasizing the heavy reliance of minority communities on tips within service jobs. “It’s clear the city council is trying to strip wages from the very workers tied to an industry historically linked to slavery,” he stated boldly, also advocating for reparations in the city.

Despite recent voting by City Council members to halt wage increases for tipped workers, Johnson’s veto stood firm. Restaurant proprietors argue that phasing out minimum wage for tipped workers will squeeze already thin profit margins. In fact, the council failed to gather the necessary votes to overturn the phase-out.

In response to inquiries about his reparations task force’s alleged transparency issues, Johnson defended its operations, claiming it was compliant with public meeting requirements set by Illinois law.

Many Americans seem to be losing patience with the tipping culture, with recent surveys indicating that nearly 90% believe it has become “out of control.” Johnson, identifying himself as a proponent of reparations for Black individuals, stated, “I’m serious about this. You can’t just ignore it.” He allocated $500,000 to the task force last year.

Recently, the task force, along with the city, initiated a community engagement program called Repair Chicago, focusing on the impacts of historical harm faced by Black residents in Chicago.

A spokesperson for Johnson’s office emphasized his view that tipped wages have roots in slavery, suggesting that this practice emerged among “white Southern employers” post-emancipation. They noted that many Black workers, particularly women, still depend on tips and minimum wages for their livelihoods. “Tipping remains a distinctly American issue, and Mayor Johnson aims to lead efforts ensuring that working individuals are treated with dignity and provided with fair wages,” the statement concluded.