Minimum Wage Boost Passed by Illinois House

The Illinois House has approved a boost in the state's minimum wage to $15/hour by 2025.

The vote, which came after a two-hour debate, was 69-47. The vote was party line all the way and Republicans in the House continued to share concerns that the move would harm businesses and cost workers their jobs.

Area St. Rep. Brad Halbrook of Shelbyville said he is concerned that the increased costs would lead businesses and industries to look into ways to streamline their operations at the cost of jobs. Halbrook said if labor costs are going up due to the minimum wage hike, it might be just as affordable to automate.

Local St. Rep. Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City, who is a member of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, complained about the way the measure was "rushed through the legislative process" and "no concessions or compromises were given even though they were most certainly sought."

Wilhour said, "What about the small town family owned grocery stores, diners and other small margin, small businesses in my part of the state? These people are already struggling to survive. How does this policy look out for them?"

The increase in the minimum wage was a campaign promise of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Democrat legislators say the wage needs to be boosted to give workers the chance at a living wage. The first wage increase begins next year with a $1/hour boost.

There had been some discussion of regionalizing the wage hikes; more of an increase for Chicago workers, a lesser increase for those downstate. Pritzker objected, saying he couldn't agree with paying different wages for the same work.