We Are Drowning

Illinois Tipped Workers’ Crisis of Stagnating Wages, Decreasing Tips, and Skyrocketing Cost of Living

Introduction

“The minimum wage is supposed to be the minimum to stay afloat, comfortably. … When will we be able to live comfortably without having to work 3 jobs just to stay afloat?” -- Indy C, Illinois Restaurant Worker 

Nearly every poll conducted during and after the November 2024 election pointed to one issue as the top concern facing all voters and working people of every demographic group in Illinois: the rising cost of living. This was particularly acute for Illinois’ lowest-paid workforce - restaurant workers - whose base wages have remained frozen at 60 percent of all other workers’ minimum wage while tips have steadily declined, creating an economic crisis that will remain their top concern in every future election until it is addressed.

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