Business Groups Come Together to Urge Changes to Minimum Wage Bill

Businesses from across the state came together in Springfield on Monday to urge the Illinois lawmakers to amend a proposed minimum wage increase to allow for lower pay outside the city of Chicago.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week urged the House to pass the Senate’s blanket $15 minimum wage by 2025 without any changes. Supporters of the minimum wage say it has taken too long for an increase to the minimum wage and that going to $15 an hour by 2025 will raise people out of poverty, add to the state’s tax rolls and increase economic activity.

The Senate along party lines passed Senate Bill 1 that would have six increases over five years starting with the first increase Jan. 1, 2020, to $9.25 from the current $8.25. The wage would be $15 per hour by 2025.

Manufacturer Don Welge of Gilster-Mary Lee said if employee costs continue to go up in Illinois, he’ll be forced to continue to invest outside the state, where he has other operations and he said it’s cheaper to hire.

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