ACT NOW: Increase the Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour
Dear Craig,
Illinois is on the verge of making history by supporting hard-working people and
their families with an increased minimum wage of $15 an hour.
Governor Pritzker is determined to pass this critical legislation by the end of
the month. It’s an aggressive but achievable goal with your help. Please reach out
to your legislators and ask them to support SB1, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader
Kimberly A. Lightford and State Representative Will Guzzardi.
I know you agree that Illinoisans deserve a raise. Supporting higher wages means
building a stronger Illinois with better-paying jobs, increased consumer spending
and a growing economy.
Consider these facts from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute*:
- Studies find that minimum wage hikes boost worker earnings while having little to
no negative impact on employment. In addition, there is evidence that worker turnover
falls following a minimum wage hike, reducing employer costs.
- A $15 minimum wage could mean a $6,000 raise for more than 1.4 million Illinois
workers, lifting more than 200,000 workers out of poverty and generating $380 million
annually in state income and sales taxes.
- A $15 minimum wage would have the largest impacts on communities outside of the
Chicago area. While a $15 minimum wage would boost earnings by about $5,000 for
directly affected workers in the Chicago area, it would raise annual incomes for
low-wage workers by more than $8,000 in the Springfield area, more than $7,000 in
the Rockford area, and more than $6,000 in the St. Louis area.
Despite strong support across all regions of the state, Illinois has not increased
the minimum wage since July 2010. Now is the time to stand up for working men and
women in Illinois.
Join the effort to increase the minimum wage at Raise the Wage. Together we can
fight for Illinois families and build a stronger future for Illinois.
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR MEMBERS.
With kindest personal regards, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Michael J. Madigan
Chairman