Gov Pritzker on IL House floor after minimum wage hike vote | Chicago Tribune photo
SPRINGFIELD— As soon as Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker will sign a bill that passed the Illinois General Assembly with backing of Illinois Democrats that will have businesses pay their employees the highest minimum wage in the nation in 2025.
Thursday, the Illinois House passed SB 1, sending to the new governor a bill he is eagerly anticipating which forces businesses from one end of the Illinois to the other to pay a $15 per hour for entry-level jobs.
Governor Pritzker was delighted to hear the news, and joined the House members on the floor during the discussion.
"Today is resounding victory for the 1.4 million Illinoisans who will soon get a hard-earned and well-deserved raise," said Gov. JB Pritzker. "After nearly a decade of delay, I applaud the House and Senate for passing a living wage with the fierce urgency this moment requires.
"Phasing in the minimum wage over the next six years will put $6,300 a year into the pockets of nearly a quarter of our state’s workforce and billions of dollars into local economies in every corner of our state. Whether you’re a home healthcare provider in McLeansboro or a janitor in Rockford, hardworking men and women across Illinois deserve a raise and will get one. After campaigning on a promise to put Springfield back on the side of working families, I will proudly sign this historic legislation in the days to come."
With a super majority in the Illinois House, Democrats were able to allow three of their caucus to vote "no" – three that are in conservative-leaning districts: Rep. Jerry Costello, Terry Costa Howard and Edly-Allen. The other 44 "no" votes came from the Illinois Republican House Caucus.
The minimum wage hike will negatively affect business owners, they told the lawmakers, only to fall on deaf ears.
State Representative Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) said, “The lack of discussion and negotiation on this extremely dramatic change in policy is concerning. This is not a bipartisan piece of legislation, yet the effects of this proposal will impact small businesses and families in the entire state. For businesses that are already struggling to stay in Illinois, this increase will be detrimental to the cost of doing business. Some employees will benefit from this change, but more would be hurt, which is why I could not in good faith support this bill. Expect businesses to either close their doors altogether, cut employee hours, and/or find ways to automate—all of which would be detrimental to those who depend on these jobs. The best way to improve the livelihoods of all Illinoisans is to encourage a growing Illinois economy."
After the vote, State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) said, “In spite of promises made by the new administration that we will enjoy bipartisanship and cooperation in the 101st General Assembly, today the majority party chose to fulfill a political campaign promise at the expense of job creators and taxpayers across Illinois. In a state where policy decisions move like molasses, this minimum wage bill shot like a rocket through the Senate and House, with no regard for legitimate issues brought forward at the committee level.”
The manuever could cost jobs of disabled in DuPage County. State Representative Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) said, “In my community I have a social services agency called Little Friends, which operates Spectrum Services in Downers Grove, an organization that provides jobs to adults with intellectual disabilities. The approved wording of this bill puts their ability to provide meaningful jobs to disabled adults in real jeopardy. Nearly 175 adults with intellectual disabilities may soon be out of a job because the bill sponsor refused to slow down the process and respond to legitimate concerns that were brought to his attention yesterday during the committee hearing. Had we taken the time to address serious issues about the wording of this bill, Spectrum Services might not be facing the real possibility of closing their doors. Instead, it was clearly more important to hand the Governor a minimum wage bill he could tout during next week’s budget address. Our vulnerable populations deserve better.”
