How Chicago Phased Out the Tipped Minimum Wage | Eater Chicago

"An institution on the Northwest Side that closed in late June after 62 years, the Gale Street Inn isn’t being remembered for its ribs; instead, critics of Mayor Brandon Johnson have seized its Jefferson Park closure as evidence that abolishing the tipped minimum wage will hurt the restaurant industry. The Tribune’s coverage of the May closure included Illinois Restaurant Association CEO Sam Toia expressing concerns that escalating costs could lead to more closures, and the Tribune editorial headlined “Why Chicago Has a Restaurant Crisis” warned of a future firestorm of restaurant closures; a May Sun-Times piece likewise spun a tale of impending doom. The restaurant association launched a campaign before Memorial Day as 44th Ward Ald. Bennett Lawson introduced a proposal to repeal the ban." - Eater Staff