State bill to eliminate sub-minimum wage for tipped workers is advancing

Posted on April 4, 2024
Illinois Restaurant Association president Sam Toia said the bill will hurt businesses. (Facebook/Illinois Restaurant Association)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – It could be state law for workers who depend on tips to make the minimum wage – with tips on top. The subminimum wage is now $8.40 an hour, and the minimum wage is $14 an hour.

Saying it’ll hurt business, Illinois Restaurant Association president Sam Toia debated the sponsor, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero).

“No one makes subminimum wage,” said Toia, who, like many, called the bill a solution in search of a problem. “It’s a tip credit plus their tips. And the average tipped worker in the state of Illinois makes over $28 an hour.”

“That’s all great,” answered Hernandez, “and I believe that there are restaurants that are meeting that credit, but there are those that don’t. The tips are supposed to be filling in the rest, but that doesn’t always happen. That’s why we have reports of wage theft. It continues.”

People with opinions on both sides of the question crowded a hearing room in Springfield Wednesday for the hour-and-a-half debate.

Hernandez said negotiations must continue, adding there should be agreement before it hits the floor.

HB 5345 has passed the House Labor and Commerce Committee.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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