Creative Worker Rights
Learn more about labor laws and protections & ask questions at a July webinar!
- Tuesday, July 9, 10am – For Employers of Creative Workers: Know the Labor Laws | Register
- Tuesday, July 16, 10am – For Creative Workers: Know Your Rights | Register
- Martes 23 de julio, 10am – Empleadores de Trabajadores Creativos: Conozca las leyes laborales aplicables | Registrarse
- Martes 30 de julio, 10am – Trabajadores Creativos: Conozca sus derechos laborales | Registrarse
Homepage | Background | For Workers | For Employers
Creative workers are the foundation of Chicago’s rich arts and culture landscape.
From artists to ushers to techs to administrators, and so many others, creative workers are fueling the imagination and design that are essential to the city’s businesses, organizations, and communities.
Artists and arts workers, a subset of creative workers, are 3.6x more likely than the general workforce to be self-employed. They are also more likely to work multiple jobs and often earn income for their creative production through grants, residencies, and fellowships.
Employment policies, laws, and working conditions must recognize, respond to, and serve creative workers to ensure that they, their families, and communities thrive.
Open dialogue about the issues facing creative workers is essential. This includes transparent, fair and equitable pay policies, safe workplaces, and access to tools to improve the conditions of creative production.
Creative Workers and Employers of Creative Workers are encouraged to learn more and join the conversation by:
- Attending upcoming webinars on new and changing labor laws.
- Connecting with the Chicago Office of Labor Standards and Illinois Department of Labor.
- Signing up for DCASE Office Hours.
- Following the links for educational materials and resources.
- Sharing the campaign with their networks.
The Departments of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), through the Office of Labor Standards (OLS), are leading the “Creative Worker Rights: Art is Labor” Campaign to:
1) call attention to the truth that creative output is labor – from residencies and fellowships to more traditional forms of employment, creative workers are and should be protected as they earn;
2) connect Chicago’s creative workers – and their employers – to information about the relevant laws and resources at the local, state, and federal level;
3) highlight new protections that will improve creative workers’ ability to advocate and safeguard the conditions of their work; and
4) build the partnerships necessary to make sure that creative work is good work.
From DCASE and BACP
For Creative Workers: Know Your Rights
Art is Labor. In this webinar from DCASE and BACP, you will learn about labor laws that apply to you as a creative worker in Chicago. The overview will provide information on Chicago’s labor laws including Minimum Wage, Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave, Fair Workweek, and Wage Theft. Additionally, there will be an overview on the new Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act (FWPA), which protects freelance workers and requires that written contracts be provided, timely payment of compensation, and access to recourse in the event of a violation of FWPA. Finally, you will learn about new resources and organizations that can support you as a creative worker. There will also be time to ask questions at a Q&A session. All DCASE & BACP webinars will be recorded and posted on this site.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 10am (English) on Zoom – Register
Trabajadores Creativos: Conozca sus derechos laborales
Presentado por: La Oficina de Normas Laborales de Chicago y el Departamento de Asuntos Culturales y Eventos Especiales de Chicago
El arte es trabajo. En este seminario web, usted aprenderá acerca de las leyes laborales que se aplican a usted como un trabajador creativo en Chicago. La visión general proporcionará información sobre las leyes laborales de Chicago incluyendo el Salario Mínimo, el Tiempo Libre Pagado y Tiempo Pagado por Enfermedad, la Semana Laboral Justa, y el Robo de Salario. Además, habrá una visión general sobre la nueva Ley de Protección del Trabajador Autónomo (freelancer) de Illinois (FWPA), cual protege a los trabajadores autónomos y requiere que se proporcionen contratos por escrito, el pago oportuno de la compensación, y el acceso a remedios en caso de violación de la FWPA. Por último, conocerá sobre nuevos recursos y organizaciones que pueden apoyarle como trabajador creativo. También habrá tiempo para hacer preguntas en una sesión de preguntas y respuestas.
Martes 30 de julio, 2024, 10am por Zoom – Registrarse
For Employers of Creative Workers: Know the Labor Laws
Art is Labor. In this webinar, you will learn about labor laws that apply to you as an employer in Chicago. The overview will provide information on recent updates to Chicago’s labor laws including Minimum Wage, Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave, Fair Workweek, and Wage Theft. Additionally, there will be an overview of your responsibilities under the new Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act (FWPA) which protects freelance workers and requires that written contracts be provided, timely payment of compensation, and access to recourse in the event of a violation of FWPA. Resources for your business and/or organization from the City of Chicago and additional organizational partners will also be shared. The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session. All DCASE & BACP webinars will be recorded and posted on this site.
Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 10am (English) on Zoom – Register
Empleadores de Trabajadores Creativos: Conozca las leyes laborales aplicables
Presentado por: La Oficina de Normas Laborales de Chicago y el Departamento de Asuntos Culturales y Eventos Especiales de Chicago
El arte es trabajo. En este seminario web, usted aprenderá acerca de las leyes laborales que se aplican a usted como empleador en Chicago. La visión general proporcionará información sobre las recientes actualizaciones de las leyes laborales de Chicago incluyendo el Salario Mínimo, Tiempo Libre Pagado y Tiempo Pagado por Enfermedad, la Semana Laboral Justa y el Robo de Salario. Además, habrá una visión general de sus responsabilidades bajo la nueva Ley de Protección de Trabajadores Autónomos (freelancer) de Illinois (FWPA) cual protege a los trabajadores autónomos y requiere que se proporcionen contratos por escrito, el pago oportuno de la compensación, y el acceso a remedios en caso de violación de la FWPA. También se compartirán recursos para su empresa y/u organización de la ciudad de Chicago y otras organizaciones asociadas. El seminario web concluirá con una sesión de preguntas y respuestas.
Martes 23 de julio, 2024, 10am por Zoom – Registrarse
Accessibility
Auto-captioning will be provided through Zoom.
The City of Chicago is committed to providing accessibility for all individuals. To request accessibility, please contact BACP at BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org, 312-744-6060. In order to ensure the best quality service is provided, we ask that you make request no later than 3 business days in advance of the event.
From Campaign Partners
If your organization provides work-related capacity-building trainings (in-person or virtual) that are free and open to the public and that you’d like included on this site, please email CulturalResources@CityofChicago.gov with “Campaign Partner” in the subject line. DCASE staff will be in touch to gather information and share relevant sessions.
Chicago Labor Laws
Are you a Chicago employer? Are you an employee who receives a W-2, or do you have questions about why you don’t?
Learn more about the laws convering employers and employees from Chicago’s Office of Labor Standards. Information includes recent updates to laws on Minimum Wage and Wage Theft and Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave. Sign-up for and review informational webinars, get connected to OLS newsletters, and find out how to file a complaint.
State of Illinois Freelance Worker Protections
Do you receive a 1099 for your work? Do you hire gig, temporary, or freelance workers?
Learn more about the Illinois Department of Labor and the state’s new Freelance Worker Protection Act. Starting July 1, 2024, the Freelance Worker Protection Act provides new protections for freelance workers including the right to a written contract, protection from intimidation and harassment, timely payment, and access to recourse in the event of a violation.
Campaign Partners
Organizations in Chicago provide important resources to support ethical and equitable working conditions by providing direct support, education, materials to workers and those who employ them. Campaign partners are committed to sharing resources, providing updates on their own programming, and contributing to open dialogue about improving labor practices within their own organization, as well as within their networks.
To become a partner and list events listed on this site, please email CulturalResources@cityofchicago.gov with “Campaign Partner” in the subject line. Emails will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
About DCASE & BACP
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) ensures a fair and vibrant marketplace for businesses, workers and consumers in the City of Chicago. BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, regulates business activity, protects consumers from fraud, enforces Chicago’s labor laws, partners with business service organizations and provides education and resources for businesses. For details, visit Chicago.gov/BACP.
The Office of Labor Standards (OLS), housed in the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), oversees Chicago's landmark labor laws through engagement and enforcement. OLS processes complaints, conducts investigations, mediates disputes, directs settlement proceedings, issues violations and if necessary, seeks licensure discipline against employers.