KWQC - Elected Officials Celebrate Labor Day By Honoring America's Workers

News Article

By Courtney Yuen

Tonight, the Red, White and Boom fireworks that were canceled over the Fourth of July are expected to go off in just a few hours.

Many have been waiting to see the show tonight, now they'll get to celebrate Labor Day with some Fourth of July style.

Fireworks begin at 8:30 PM tonight and there's plenty of viewing areas on both sides of the river.

Including inside Modern Woodman Park, LeClaire Park and Schwiebert Park in Rock Island. But many kicked off their labor day by honoring the contributions of working men and women.

Rock Island County Democrats held their annual Labor Day picnic at Illiniwek Park today and with elections quickly approaching in November, one of the big topics leaders have been talking about is raising the minimum wage.

Senator Dick Durbin said he supports it.

"We should phase it in. Don't do it all at once, because it could be overwhelming. Phase it in," said Sen. Durbin. "I'll say to those businesses, your workers will have better morale, better productivity and the money you give in minimum wage is going to be spent on goods and services, so there will be more demand, more profits and more jobs."

Republican candidate for Illinois governor Bruce Rauner says he's open to the idea of raising the minimum wage. He said that's only if it's tied to business reforms, so small businesses can absorb the extra labor costs. He made a campaign stop in Rock Island this weekend.

Meanwhile, union members at the picnic today said it's important to honor Labor Day to celebrate the history of the people who fought for the benefits that many workers have today.

"So that we as a country could have people that had a decent life, enough of a living to raise a family, hopefully retire with some dignity," said Carl Robinson of IBEW Local 145.

And tonight for Red, White and Boom...Centennial Bridge, connecting both sides of the event is still closed. Police are asking people crossing the river for the festivities to use either 280 or 74 bridges rather than the Arsenal to avoid congestion.

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