Raise Chicago & Aldermen Respond to Mayor's $13 Ordinance

Raise Chicago Responds to Mayor’s Minimum Wage Ordinance:
It Helps Too Few Working Families, with Too Little, Too Late

CHICAGO—The Mayor’s introduction [this week] of an ordinance to increase the city’s minimum wage, while a step in the right direction, was not what the people ordered.

The ordinance stops short of the full $15 supported by 86% of eligible voters in March, instead taking workers to $13, taking a full four years to get there and leaving many workers behind.

“Working families throughout the city sent a strong message in March when they voted overwhelmingly for a $15 minimum wage,” said Katelyn Johnson, Executive Director of Action Now, part of the Raise Chicago coalition which worked to place the $15 referendum on the ballot earlier this year. “They sent another message when they showed up at the Mayor’s minimum wage hearings and spoke out for $15. And Raise Chicago is honoring that mandate along with 21 aldermen who are moving a $15 minimum wage ordinance.”

In addition to promoting the $15 wage that Chicago voters support as an effective and appropriate means to combat poverty, the Raise Chicago ordinance covers workers who would be left behind by the Mayor’s proposal. His ordinance leaves out domestic workers entirely, and provides tipped workers with a woefully insufficient increase of $1.

The $15 Raise Chicago ordinance is sponsored by Alderman Roderick Sawyer, 6th Ward; Alderman Joe Moreno, 1st Ward; and Alderman John Arena, 45th Ward. It is currently in the Workforce Development Committee.

"The mayor's proposed $13 ordinance leaves out domestic workers and shortchanges tipped workers. And it stops short of the $15 that working families are calling for. No family should be left behind,” said Alderman John Arena. “That's why our ordinance is for the full $15 and why it makes sure that everyone is covered."

"When we proposed a $15 minimum wage, it was after many consultations with economic experts and working people to determine what people needed and what would provide a boost to our local economies,” said Alderman Roderick Sawyer. “With all due respect to the hard work of the Minimum Wage Task Force, the issue is not settled, on the contrary now is the time for the City Council to debate the evidence and consider the will of the people in determining which plan to implement for the future of Chicago."