Chicago City Wire

CHICAGO – Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) launched a new workers’ rights campaign for creative workers, “Art is Labor.” The multi-department effort was designed with input from stakeholders including 3Arts, Arts Alliance Illinois, Chicago Cultural Alliance, Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Mezcla Media Collective, other cultural and community organizations – and artists.

"Art is more than just expression; it is labor, and our creatives deserve the same protections and rights as all workers," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "With the 'Art is Labor.' campaign, we are ensuring that artists and creative professionals are educated about their rights and supported in their work, fostering a fair and just environment for all who contribute to Chicago's vibrant cultural landscape."

The “Art is Labor.” campaign announcement is part of Mayor Johnson’s Chicago Workers’ Rights Week, an initiative to raise awareness around the important changes to labor laws that will go into effect on Monday, July 1. To explore the campaign website, visit Chicago.gov/CreativeWork. To view informational fliers, Frequently Asked Questions, and public notices on Chicago’s labor laws, visit Chicago.gov/LaborStandards.

As of July 1, several labor laws will take effect that impact workers in the creative sector, including the scheduled annual increase in Chicago’s minimum wage, implementation of the Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, and a scheduled enhancement of the Fair Workweek Ordinance requirements. Additionally, the State of Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act (FWPA) goes into effect. FWPA requires providing written contracts, timely payments, and protection from retaliation.

“By launching this campaign BACP reaffirms its commitment to promoting transparency equality respect in workplace,” said BACP Commissioner Kenneth J. Meyer. “BACP oversees Chicago’s landmark laws ensures all of Chicago’s workers including those in creative sector protected. Creative workers entrepreneurs contribute local economy creating jobs unique products cultural experiences no denying art labor BACP here support through resources engagement.”

“Time again hear from our creative workforce – Chicago’s visual performing artists writers technicians arts administrators others – their labor goes uncompensated taken granted too few boundaries,” shared DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “This campaign resounding response acknowledgment art labor starting point bring attention laws protections resources exist creative workers build momentum partnerships ensure creative workers thrive in Chicago.”

The City’s first-ever creative workers campaign reflects diversity of creative sector through visual representation performing arts arts management filmmaking more. The campaign informs workers about their rights crucial empowering workers promoting fairness equity creating culture compliance. By providing creative workers knowledge resources they need navigate work complexities sector campaign can contribute more inclusive just respectful work environment for all.

“The Freelance Worker Protection Act establishes framework understandable transparent expectations independent creative workers Illinois better protect their work compensation,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan.

Components of the campaign include: In addition to webinars DCASE’s Cultural Resources team will be launching Office Hours in July Dates times posted on campaign website shared through DCASE social media.

“Lawyers for Creative Arts applauds strongly supports City of Chicago ‘Art is Labor.’ awareness campaign assist creative workers obtaining protecting fruits their creative labor know first-hand how important it those arts understand legal rights where get help if needed,” said Elsa Hiltner Director Programs at Lawyers for Creative Arts (LCA). “The 'Art is Labor.’ initiative important partnership non-profits like LCA supporting artists arts organizations navigate complexities law.”

“Arts Alliance proud partner with City of Chicago raise awareness offer resources advance critical policy supports for creative workers across Chicago This campaign reflects ongoing commitment protect invest vibrancy creative workforce across great city state,” said Claire Rice Executive Director at Arts Alliance Illinois.

The “Art is Labor.” campaign responds repeated calls from creative community clear standards resources field most recently stated 2023 Citywide Plan 2023 Transition Report builds on DCASE efforts last year provide emergency resources field via Chicago.gov/CreativeWorkerResources materials created this campaign those released coming months developed feedback Advisory Committee consisting nonprofit arts leaders independent artists advocates Information how partner with campaign contribute ongoing conversations available at Chicago.gov/CreativeWork

All worker protections enforced by BACP Office Labor Standards (OLS). OLS dedicated promoting enforcing labor laws including Minimum Wage Paid Leave Paid Sick Safe Leave Fair Workweek Wage Theft Ordinance file labor standards complaint use CHI 311 system call 3-1-1 use CHI311 mobile app visit 311.chicago.gov complete Complaint Form information on labor laws visit Chicago.gov/LaborStandards

Chicago Department Cultural Affairs Special Events

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Chicago Department Business Affairs Consumer Protection

Chicago Department Business Affairs Consumer Protection (BACP) ensures fair vibrant marketplace businesses consumers licenses businesses public vehicles regulates activity protects consumers fraud enforces partners business service organizations provides education resources information visit ###