SENATE LAWMAKERS ARE DISCUSSING LEGISLATION RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE IN ILLINOIS TO 15 DOLLARS AN HOUR. 

THE LAST INCREASE WAS IN 2010…TO EIGHT DOLLARS AND 25 CENTS AN HOUR. SENATOR KIMBERLY LIGHTFORD OF MAYWOOD SAYS IT’S TIME TO BUMP THAT UP, SO THAT PEOPLE EARN A WAGE THEY CAN LIVE ON. SHE SAYS THE GOAL IS 15 BUCKS AN HOUR…BUT THAT IT WOULD BE PHASED IN OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

MARK GRANT WITH THE NATIONAL FEDERAL OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES CALLS THE HIKE A JOB KILLER.

OTHERS DISCUSSED WHETHER TEENAGERS WOULD BE PAID THE FULL MINIMUM WAGE AND HOW MUCH PEOPLE IN JOBS WHERE THEY ARE TIPPED WOULD BE PAID.

OTHERS DISCUSSED WHETHER THE HIKE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED REGIONALLY, SINCE THE COST OF LIVING IS HIGHER IN AREAS LIKE CHICAGO.