b'LABOR REPORTChicago Votes to Phase in $15 Minimum Wage by 2021By Stephen JoycePhoto: Chait GoliChicago Theatre in Chicago ILAccelerates pay boost governor approved Feb. 19 the employer must make up the difference. Concerns of wage violations, harassment remain Supporters of the higher Chicago measure said they were disappointed by the lower wage for tipped staff. But they AnordinancetheChicagoCityCouncilapprovedNov.also said the City Council soon might consider a one fair 26 to increase the citys minimum wage to $15 an hourwage ordinance to eliminate the lower wage tier for tipped includedacontroversiallower-tierminimumwageforstaff. They also applauded what they said is a meaningful workers receiving tips. changeforlow-incomeworkersacrossthecity,whowill see an annual increase in pay of about $3,600 from the Illinois earlier this year became the first Midwestern statehigher minimum wage.to enact a minimum wage of $15 an hour, with phased-in increasesbetween2020and2025.TheChicagoCityWere very happy with the vast majority of this ordinance. Council Nov. 26 adopted a more aggressive wage increaseByboostingthewageto$15,wearelifting100,000 schedule, approving on a 39-11 vote a citywide $15-an-hourChicagoresidentsoutofpoverty,MackenzieThurman, minimum wage by 2021. Chicagos current minimum wagespokesman for ordinance sponsor Alderman Sophia King, is $13 an hour.said in an interview.Both the state and city standards contain a lower minimumOpponents of the lower-tier minimum wage said the move wage for workers who receive gratuities from customers; inleaves tipped employees behind.Chicago, that rate is now $6.40 and will increase to $8.40 by2021.TheChicagoordinancerequiresallworkerstoInstead of increasing the exploitative subminimum tipped earn $15 an hour once its phased in completely. If a tippedwagetothefullminimumwageandliftingthousands workers salary plus tips dont equal at least $15 an hour,of working families out of poverty and combating racial 8 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'