Chicago Mayor Escalates Wage Fight With “Slavery” Remark on Tipping
Chicago’s tipped wage fight just escalated after Mayor Brandon Johnson tied the restaurant industry to “slavery,” triggering backlash as a major policy battle unfolds.
According to multiple reports, Johnson made the remark while defending his plan to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers after the City Council failed to override his veto.
The policy keeps Chicago on track to phase out tipped wages entirely by 2028, forcing restaurants to pay full minimum wage regardless of tips.
Subscribe free for daily political analysis they won’t broadcast. Join 110K+ readers →
Supporters say the move protects workers, especially minorities who dominate service jobs, while Johnson framed it as part of a broader push tied to reparations and economic justice.
But restaurant owners warn the change could drive up prices, cut jobs, and strain already thin margins, creating a direct clash between labor advocates and the hospitality industry.
With the council unable to stop the plan, Chicago is now a major test case in the national fight over tipping and wages.
Download a FREE Pocket Constitution NOW →
