The adage that government gives with one hand while taking with another applies Saturday, as low-wage workers get some help while anyone buying gas or groceries must pay a little more.
In Chicago and many suburbs, higher minimum wages kick in under terms of Chicago and Cook County ordinances.
At the same time, a slight reprieve state lawmakers gave consumers because of high inflation expires. The state’s 1% tax on groceries returns after a one-year suspension.
Also, the state’s gasoline tax on regular-grade fuel rises by 3.1 cents a gallon, to 45.4 cents. The tax on diesel fuel goes up 3.1 cents to 52.9 cents a gallon. The increases are mandated by state law.
All the changes take effect July 1.
The situation with the minimum wage is complicated because rates can differ by locality and whether the job includes tips. Laura Garza, worker center director at the pro-labor group Arise Chicago, advised low-wage staff to “check their check” to make sure they are properly paid as of July 1.
Garza, joining Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and other officials at a news conference Friday, said employers who pay less than required are committing wage theft. She said that for tipped jobs, employers must make up any shortfalls when wages fall below minimums.
“Worker pay is a racial justice issue, a gender justice issue and a health equity issue,” Garza said.
How much it will help low-wage staff is hard to guess because of the higher state taxes on gas and groceries. Carol...
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