Illinois Restaurant Association CEO Sam Toia speaks at a news conference on Wednesday in Springfield alongside restaurant employees and owners. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

The House Labor and Commerce Committee voted 17-11 on Wednesday to eliminate the state’s subminimum wage, also known as tipped minimum wage, but it faces an uncertain future beyond the committee.  

The controversial proposal has restaurant leaders, and many employees, worried about increasing prices, layoffs and more businesses closing.