CITY OF CHICAGO, MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SUCCESSFULLY PHASE OUT SUB-MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

CITY OF CHICAGO, MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SUCCESSFULLY PHASE OUT SUB-MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities worked with the remaining organizations to eliminate the practice over a month ahead of the scheduled phase-out date.

CHICAGO – Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into legislation nearly 34 years ago, people with disabilities continue to experience significant employment disparities, including wages that are far below minimum wage. The City is proud to announce that, over a month ahead of schedule, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) worked with the Office of Labor Standards to phase out the sub-minimum wage for individuals with disabilities working in the city of Chicago.

“Early in our administration, we moved to abolish the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers in the service industry. Now we are announcing that we have successfully abolished the sub-minimum wage for workers with disabilities in the City of Chicago,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I believe that all workers deserve dignity and that includes being paid a dignified wage. Today we can say that the minimum wage is the minimum wage. Period. We will not tolerate any exceptions to the baseline standards that workers have won in our city.”

Paying workers with disabilities a sub-minimum wage has been allowed under the federal 14(c) certificate of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which is issued to workplaces that employ people with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I’m proud that we have been able to phase out the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities ahead of schedule,” said MOPD Commissioner Rachel Arfa. “Workers with disabilities contribute greatly to our economy. By paying all workers the same minimum wage, we are ensuring that people with disabilities can enjoy greater financial stability and independence as they pursue their careers.”

In 2019, the City of Chicago shared its ongoing commitment to fair and equal wages by announcing that all organizations operating under a 14(c) certificate must phase out this program by July 1, 2024, ensuring that people with disabilities are paid a fair and equal wage no less than the City’s minimum wage. Since the announcement, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), in collaboration with the City of Chicago's Office of Labor Standards, partnered to bring awareness to the seven remaining organizations in the city of Chicago paying sub-minimum wages to their employees.

Higher wages will increase financial independence among people with disabilities, allowing access to stable housing and better medical care. By providing more on-the-job support and training resources within a competitive employment setting, people with disabilities will also have career advancement opportunities, increasing their economic and financial stability within the community.

The phasing out of 14(c) builds on significant advances for workers with disabilities under the Johnson administration. In April, the MOPD Career Center reached a milestone of assisting 100 job seekers obtain employment. Since opening on July 26, 2022, the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Career Center team has assisted job seekers in the city of Chicago in finding and retaining meaningful employment opportunities.

People with disabilities remain underemployed and unemployed at rates almost twice as high as those without disabilities. The Career Center has developed partnerships across the city with employers who are committed to implementing and strengthening inclusive hiring practices to rectify this disparity. In addition, the MOPD Career Center integrates accessibility into all of its processes, including a dedicated American Sign Language Interpreter, physically accessible space, and assistive technology available in the computer center. Benefits Counseling is also available onsite for those who receive SSI or SSDI.

In line with Mayor Johnson’s commitment to youth employment, MOPD and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) co-hosted the inaugural Inclusive Youth Jobs Expo on April 20. The Expo helped over 130 young adults with disabilities apply for positions in the One Summer Chicago program. Over 20 community resource tables with partner representatives were onsite as well as the Office of the City Clerk for those who wanted to obtain a CityKey. The Expo also included presentations about Benefits Counseling and information about the MOPD Career Center, as well as an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a Career Placement Counselor.

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