Restaurant tips in large American cities have been on the rise since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but new evidence suggests that Americans are experiencing tipping fatigue. The tipping boom is likely coming to an end in Chicago restaurants, after the city government passed a new ordinance in October to gradually phase out tipped The post Tipflation declining in Chicago; new ordinance to raise wages appeared first on The Chicago Reporter.

Chicago’s City Council passed a new ordinance intended to guarantee living wages for service industry workers, but experts believe that more strict legislation is needed to safeguard against employer fraud. The Chicago One Fair Wage ordinance, passed in October, will phase out Chicago’s subminimum wages for tipped workers over a five-year period, impacting restaurants in The post Tip and Wage Theft Still Prevalent in Chicago Restaurant Industry Despite New Ordinance appeared first on The Chicago Reporter.

After two years of leading creative writing workshops in the Cook County Jail, University of Chicago student Ethan Ostrow said there is one moment he thinks about often.  He recalled how one participant shared that he had been charged with manslaughter after killing his best friend in a drunk driving accident.  “Watching him blink back The post Marshall Scholar, Ethan Ostrow, aims to expand restorative justice in Chicagoland and the U.S. appeared first on The Chicago Reporter.

Two University of Chicago students were banned from volunteering in the Cook County Jail after publicly criticizing jail policies. A letter from the People’s Law Office alleges that the students’ dismissal constitutes a First Amendment violation. As the new school year began, University of Chicago students Ethan Ostrow and Harley Pomper were preparing to resume The post Cook County Sheriff’s Office accused of retaliation and First Amendment violations appeared first on The Chicago Reporter.

Katherine “Katie” Schulder-Battis joins The Chicago Reporter to fill the position of Multimedia Editor/Investigations Reporter.  While new to the team her name and work may strike a familiar chord. Last year, Katie moved from Brooklyn to earn an MSJ at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism with a concentration in Social Justice.  It’s at this The post The Chicago Reporter welcomes Katherine Schulder-Battis appeared first on The Chicago Reporter.