Chicago's Tipped Workers Fight for Fair Wages

A restaurant server in Chicago opposes Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposal to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers, arguing that the current tipping system allows servers to thrive financially. The server points to the negative impact of a similar policy change in Washington, D.C., where many restaurants have replaced tipping with a service charge, resulting in reduced take-home pay for servers and potential closures of establishments. The server urges policymakers to consider the perspectives of tipped workers and engage in a meaningful conversation before implementing changes that may harm their livelihoods.