SPRINGFIELD - Wednesday afternoon in the Senate Executive Committee, State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Chicago) moved a bill forward to raise Illinois' minimum wage to be the highest in the US. SB 1565 would cause Illinois employers - including those in restaurants and one employee companies - to comply with the higher rate or pay stiffer penalties.
Before the bill was heard in committee, three Democrats voted in support.
State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) noted that after the last minimum wage hike in Illinois, the state now has the highest teen unemployment rate in 42 years. Retail merchants testifying during the hearing agreed with concerns, saying the teen unemployment rate in Chicago is now 48%, and a hike in minimum wage would endanger more teen jobs.
Vote is coming up shortly ... SB 1565 passes Senate Exec with a 9 to 5 vote along party lines, with Democrats voting for the hike and Republicans against. The bill goes to the Senate floor next.
