CHICAGO – Today, on International Workers’ Day, Mayor Brandon Johnson is uplifting the monumental gains that Chicago’s working people have achieved during his first year in office. Today’s release is the first in a series of recaps of the first year leading up to the Johnson Administration’s May 15, 2024, anniversary.

“Working families are the beating heart of Chicago. Millions of workers get up every day to serve our city. Whether they are in the classroom, cleaning our buildings, in the service industry or Streets and Sanitation, this city would not run without workers,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I am immensely proud to serve and represent our workers and working families every day as mayor. My administration is the first administration in our city’s modern history to put workers in the driver's seat, and the work we have been able to accomplish this first year is a testament to that commitment.”

In a generational win for Chicago’s workers, Mayor Johnson championed and passed the Chicago Paid Time Off ordinance effectively doubling paid time off to cover an estimated 1.4 million workers. The Chicago Paid Time Off ordinance guarantees up to five days of paid time off and five days of paid sick time for all of Chicago’s workers, making it the most progressive paid time off legislation at the municipal level in the United States. The ordinance will go into effect on July 1st, 2024.

“Working-class Chicagoans deserve a day off when they need it,” said Ald. Mike Rodriguez, chair of the Workforce Development Committee and sponsor of the Chicago Paid Time Off Ordinance, upon passage of the ordinance. “The Chicago Paid Time Off Ordinance is a common-sense, compromise approach that supports working people, helps businesses by increasing worker productivity and worker retention, and boosts our economy. I am proud to have sponsored this historic piece of legislation.”

Mayor Johnson also advanced policies that benefit teachers and service workers working in the city of Chicago. The Administration reached an agreement with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union to support Chicago’s teachers by providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave, bringing them in line with other City workers. Mayor Johnson also spearheaded the One Fair Wage ordinance to abolish the subminimum wage over the next five years, making Chicago the first major U.S. city to phase out the subminimum wage in an effort to address the restaurant industry’s staffing crisis.

“Today marks a meaningful step towards improving the financial stability of Chicago’s workers,” said Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Kenneth J. Meyer upon passage of the ordinance. “This amendment is a direct investment in the people of Chicago. Eliminating the tipped wage credit for tipped workers will improve working and living conditions for workers, empowering them to contribute more to their local communities and foster economic vitality.”

To ensure that workers have recourse under these ordinances, Mayor Johnson increased staffing in the Office of Labor Standards. Utilizing his unique background and experience with labor negotiations, Mayor Johnson has built City infrastructure to help settle a myriad of labor issues and contracts.

To help resolve labor disputes, Mayor Johnson appointed Bridget Early as the City’s first Deputy Mayor of Labor Relations. The Administration ratified the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contract which had been stalled since 2017, ensuring that our law enforcement officers receive fair compensation and benefits for the hard work they do every day to keep our residents safe. The Administration also helped to settle the negotiations between the Chicago Parks District and SEIU Local 73, which is currently being finalized.  

Mayor Johnson expresses his heartfelt appreciation for the workers of Chicago and looks forward to working together this coming year to build on these victories to ensure that all the working families in Chicago are treated with dignity and respect under his Administration. 

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