Arise Chicago

Workplace improvements: in 2023, Arise Chicago provided information and support to workers to recover stolen wages and compensation, and create safer conditions and overall workplace improvements including winning wage increases. Recovered over $218,351 in owed wages and compensation for low-paid workers. Supported workers to increase wages by approximately $1,321,000 in 2023.

Policy change & government improvement: city: Arise made significant gains on our work advocating to improve the Chicago office of labor standards and city infrastructure to support workers. With input from Arise, the city of Chicago increased the ols budget, adding 5 staff. Arise and partner organizations worked together to educate aldermen and the public through meetings and press coverage about the need for paid time off. City council passed an historic paid time off oricnance at the end of november 2023.

Worker education: in 2023, Arise Chicago provided mass worker education, training, and resources to low-paid, primarily immigrant workers facing wage theft, dangerous workplace conditions, health and safety hazards, discrimination, or other abuse. Arise trained 2,135 workers at virtual and in-person workshops. Arise reached thousands of workers through digital educational materials to provide information on their rights at work.

Elevate worker voices and stories: Arise secured 172 media pieces, lifting the voices and stories of worker struggles in the public narrative. Arise also served on several city and county task forces and working groups to bring low-wage and immigrant worker voices to decision making tables to improve workplaces and quality of life, including the Chicago protecting workers working group.