Is Illinois Headed for a $15 Minimum Wage?

Date: February 06, 2019

NFIB continues to oppose the hike, which appears imminent.

Illinois appears to be moving toward a $15 minimum wage.

At issue: How long with the transition period be, and would the hike be different in different parts of the state?

“NFIB IL stands opposed to a $15 per hour statewide minimum wage. Main street #SmallBusinesses will be hammered by this,” tweeted Mark Grant, state director. “Can a café in downstate #Illinois stay open charging $16 for a sandwich? What about businesses on our borders? Customers will shop across state lines.”

Grant told the Illinois Senate Labor Committee in January that the move from $8.25 to $15 would result in an 80 percent hike in labor costs for small business owners.  Many will have to lay off workers and possibly close their doors for good.

Wage hike supporters want the $15 minimum wage to apply statewide. They are ignoring the cost of living difference between Chicago and the rest of Illinois. Our small businesses on main street will be hit hardest. The idea that this will be acceptable to down state small businesses if they are given a five year ramp to adjust is mistaken.

Don’t forget there’s the toll of additional payroll taxes. If your payroll increases, so will your payroll taxes. And so will workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance costs. Illinois recently hiked income taxes so it’s a quadruple whammy for main street.

CLICK HERE to tell your local legislators Illinois can’t afford an 80-percent increase in the state minimum wage!

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