Illinois Senate passes minimum wage bill

Posted on February 5, 2015

(WJBC file photo)

By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – A day after Democrats laughed openly at the governor’s minimum-wage proposal – the one giving workers a raise from today’s $8.25 an hour to $10 in 2022 – the Illinois Senate passed their own increase, which is less gradual.

“As long as (workers) are getting up every day trying to do best for their families, we should not keep them heavily reliant on government assistance,” said the sponsor, State Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). “And that’s exactly what we’re doing by finding every excuse we can to not pay them fair and livable wages.”

An opponent, State Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon), said Lightford should take Republicans – including Rauner – at their word and let the process play out more slowly. “My concern is that we don’t really help the people we say we’re trying to help,” he said. “This will have an impact on small businesses.”

S.B. 11 has passed the Senate, 35-18-1.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…