What’s minimal wage in Illinois 2024? Lawmakers in Springfield contemplating bringing tipped staff as much as $14 an hour

OAK BROOK, Sick. (WLS) — Lawmakers in Springfield are discussing pay for tipped staff.

One invoice on the docket would increase wages for these staff.

It is a plan that’s drawing criticism from restaurant house owners.

At lunchtime at Lucca Osteria and Bar in Oak Brook, proprietor Steven Hartenstein mentioned his workers work exhausting to offer nice customer support to patrons.

“They work on: the higher the service, presumably, the higher the ideas,” Hartenstein mentioned.

However Hartenstein, who can also be the chairman of the Illinois Restaurant Affiliation, mentioned lawmakers in Springfield are proposing adjustments to the pay construction for tipped staff that he mentioned would trigger them to lose cash.

“What they’re making an attempt to do is provide you with an answer to an issue that does not exist,” Hartenstein mentioned.

The proposal requires phasing out a decrease minimal wage for tipped staff.

RELATED: ‘One Honest Wage’ minimal wage for tipped staff plan passes metropolis council committee

At present, tipped staff earn a sub-minimum wage of $8.40 an hour, and complement earnings with suggestions.

Beneath the proposal, all tipped staff in Illinois could be paid the state’s minimal wage of $14 an hour, with suggestions placed on prime of that.

However there may be concern that if eating places pay their workers extra, they might go that price on to patrons.

“You are paying as much as $20 for a burger now. That is gonna go as much as $30, or they’re gonna shut,” Hartenstein mentioned.

Server Luis Torreijos is anxious patrons would not be as beneficiant with suggestions. He at present makes greater than twice the minimal wage.

“And thank God for that. I am going to be capable to afford to ship my youngsters to varsity, have a good life, and I do not perceive why they wish to change it,” Torreijos mentioned.

The push for elevating the minimal wage for tipped works comes 4 months after the Chicago Metropolis Council handed an identical measure.

Proponents say it is going to put more cash into the pockets of girls and folks of shade, who they are saying are negatively impacted by biases within the tipped wage system.

Sponsors of the laws didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

A Home committee will take up the problem in Springfield Wednesday. Each supporters and opponents can be on-hand to observe what occurs.