By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The fight for workers’ rights – particularly those of immigrants – came to the Capitol Thursday morning.

A rally in front of the Lincoln statue called for passage of the “Work without Fear Act,” sponsored by State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“You have faced exploitation, persecution, and abuse,” Peters told rallygoers. “Every time we have to face that, it’s because some corporation is trying to maximize as many dollars as it can.”

Peters’ bill would outlaw employers’ retaliation against workers based on their immigration status.

One solution, says Raise the Floor Coalition executive director Sophia Zaman, is to raise the minimum wage to $25 per hour. Wait, who wants to pay, say, $15 for a Big Mac?

“The costs of goods and services don’t need to go up,” said Zaman. “It’s on the corporation to take a look at their own infrastructure and find those resources. They have corporate executive pay to pick from. Why is the ultimatum always on consumers and people who live and make those companies possible?”

Zaman said lawmakers at the Capitol have reacted favorably to her ideas.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].