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Pay Bump for Tipped Workers And Other New Laws

Posted on June 26, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Sidney Madden

Sidney Madden

A "Raise That Wage" sign in Chicagoland

Residents have long fought for a higher minimum wage in Chicagoland. (Anna Waters / Flickr)

A handful of new laws are set to go into effect Monday. Here’s what to know and how you could be affected.

Chicago

The minimum wage will rise 40 cents to $16.20 next week. Subminimum wage for tipped workers is getting phased out: Employees like restaurant servers and bartenders will see hourly wages increase from $9.48 to $11.02. That wage will increase 8% each year until 2028, when the subminimum wage matches the full minimum wage.

City Cast

Restaurant Workers Demand End of Subminimum Wage

00:00:00

Chicago workers will be eligible for 10 days of paid time off a year if they work at least 80 hours within a 120-day period. The law provides for five days of paid leave and five days of paid sick leave.

Customers purchase gas at a station in Chicago June 11.

Customers purchase gas at a station in Chicago June 11. (Scott Olson / Getty)

Illinois

The state’s tax on gasoline and diesel fuel is going up by a couple cents each. The increases began in 2019.

Undocumented immigrants will be able to get a state driver’s license instead of the temporary one many currently have. Among other requirements, they must pass a driving test and prove they've lived in Illinois for a year.

Illinois became the first state to pass legislation on child influencers by amending the Child Labor Law. If a parent earns income from their child’s likeness on social media, they are required to put a portion of gross earnings in a trust fund the child can access when they turn 18.

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