Thrust into the spotlight during the pandemic, rideshare companies have become important sources of supplemental income for thousands of Chicagoans, even as important questions persist about this new, flexible economy.
At the core of these conversations is a simple question: How much do drivers earn per hour? A proposal in Chicago City Council would increase pay by requiring that drivers earn at least $5 per trip. Some researchers want the Illinois Legislature to pass a law declaring drivers are employees, not contractors, on the assumption they would then be paid more.
