CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago City Council has voted overwhelmingly to give restaurant employees and other tipped workers a raise.
The aldermen voted 36-10 in favor of an ordinance that will phase out the so-called "tipped" minimum wage over the next five years.
Right now, servers and other hospitality workers are paid a lower minimum wage, and restaurants are supposed to make up the difference in tips.
Alderwoman Jesse Fuentes sponsored the bill, saying it's a move to reward service workers , who are overwhelmingly women and people of color.
"The City of Chicago has always shown up for the hospitality industry. Today, we are showing up for workers," she added.
However, Northwest side Alderman Nick Sposato said the proposal would have the opposite effect and would increase costs for small business owners.
He also said restaurants are going to be cutting jobs, raising prices, and implementing service charges, which will not help workers.
"Workers will not do better when businesses close."
Mayor Johnson supported the measure.
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