No minimum wage bills passed this week despite it being third-reading deadline, which means lawmakers are expected to move bills out of one chamber into the other. It’s likely, however, that SB 68 will be granted a deadline extension.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Jim Oberweis offered his own version of wage increase. Oberweis, a Republican, is running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Oberweis’ proposal would hike the state’s minimum wage for those who are 26 or older from $8.25 per hour to $9 per hour next year, then again to $9.50 per hour in 2016, and $10 per hour in 2017. The minimum wage for workers between the ages of 18 and 26 would stay at the current rate of $8.25 per hour; for those under 18, it would stay at $7.75 per hour.
If the senator’s bill advances, NFIB/Illinois will ballot its members to see whether they support or oppose the plan.
PHOTO: Éovart Caçeir/Wikipedia
