Small businesses impacted the most by proposed mandates
Keeping the state’s business and economic climate in mind, State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) is sharing concern over a proposal to bring a $15 minimum wage to Illinois. Sen. McClure voted against Senate Bill 1 on Thursday, Feb. 7, fully knowing it was a vote in the best interest of the state’s already struggling economy.
“One of the biggest problems we have is that people and businesses are leaving the district I represent and new businesses are not coming here,” said Sen. McClure. “This bill pretends that those living in Springfield, Pittsfield, and Jacksonville have the same living expenses as people in Chicago. They do not. There are going to be real consequences—increased prices for goods and services, decreased hours of employment, the loss of jobs, higher costs of education at every level, and the potential for increases in property taxes to pay for it. Businesses will close or move because of this bill and it will deter new businesses from coming here.”
The last time Illinois raised its minimum wage was in 2006, and by 2007 the state had lost 50,000 jobs. The first jobs to go were vital entry-level jobs.
“A one size fits all approach is the wrong approach for an aggressive measure of this sort,” said Sen. McClure. “The differences between Chicago and my region of the state are vast and have not been taken into consideration.”
Under SB 1, the minimum wage would reach $15 an hour after a six year phase-in period, starting Jan. 1, 2020. Learn more on senatormcclure.com.
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Media Questions?
Alexandrea Williams | awilliams@sgop.ilga.gov