The Illinois House Labor & Commerce Committee is set to meet on Wednesday, April 3^rd  at 2:00pm to consider House Bill 5345, which eliminates the tip credit statewide. This legislation is bad for our industry, employees and customers, and we are 100% opposed to it.

If you can join us in Springfield next Wednesday, please email Alison DeGuide at adeguide@illinoisrestaurants.org. If there is enough interest, we may also provide bus transportation to Springfield, but we need to know counts by end of day Friday, March 29.

Here is how you can help us defeat HB5345:

1. Contact members of the House Labor & Commerce Committee and tell them to VOTE NO on House Bill 5345.

2. Fill out a committee witness slip opposing House Bill 5345.

Key information to include on the witness slip (see sample here):

• Name, Address, Firm, Title, Email & Phone: Type your information
• Representation: Use your organization or just type “self”
• Position: Opponent
• Testimony: Record of Appearance Only (unless you are submitting written or oral testimony)

3. Send an email to your state legislators and tell them to VOTE NO on House Bill 5345.

4. Share our cause on social media (sample posts here).

This legislation is being sold as a raise for tipped workers, but it will do more harm than good, as it will fundamentally change the way all restaurants operate, hurting our smaller, family-run and minority-owned businesses the most.

Because of the negative impact this bill will have on the industry, many local and statewide organizations are joining together to oppose this legislation. We want you to join our efforts.