Bills have not advance in the Legislature.
No Movement on Minimum Wage
With New York and California hiking their state minimum wages earlier this month, the nationwide debate over minimum wage increases has only intensified. In Illinois, however, the issue remains uncertain. While two bills in the House did not advance by the Friday, April 8 deadline, it is an issue that could easily come back to life before the General Assembly adjourns at the end of May.
HB 3345 proposed to increase the minimum wage from $8.25 per hour to $9 beginning July 1, 2015 and again to $10 by July 1, 2016. The bill would also have prohibited local governments to pass higher minimum wage rates, although Chicago would be exempt and could keep its $13 wage hike ordinance that passed in 2015. The bill would also have created a credit against the withholding tax liability of employers with fewer than 50 employees in an amount equal to the increased wages paid as a result of the minimum wage hike. HB 124 would have increased the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Senator Kimberly Lightford’s bill, SB 2145, is however still slated for a hearing in the Senate Executive Committee. Once amended, Lightford’s bill would raise the minimum wage to $11 by 2020.
NFIB continues to oppose any efforts to increase Illinois’ minimum wage.
