Illinois Homepage - Minimum Wage is Major Election Issue
News Article
By Amanda Porterfield
A big election issue this year is what to do about the state's minimum wage. Wednesday, some lawmakers urged voters in Central Illinois to help raise it. WCIA-3's Amanda Porterfield examines the heated issue, especially in the Senate race.
Both Senators Dick Durbin and Jim Oberweis agree minimum wage should go up, but they disagree how to do it and who should benefit from it.
Chris Miner isn't your typical college student. At 40-years old, he decided to study politics at Parkland College, in Champaign. He also works at a pizza place making minimum wage.
"The $10.10 is a start, but we need to go higher."
Miner was one of two students to stand behind Senator Dick Durbin. He stressed the nearly two dollar hike would change a lot.
"That's my rent. That's money I could save. And that's what I worry about. It may seem minute to some, but only when you don't look at the bigger picture."
Democrats, like Durbin, hope to get the national minimum wage to more than $10 by January 2015, and possible $10.65 by 2016. Republican Jim Oberweis believes the wage hike should be gradual, not making it to $10 until 2017, and only applying to people 26 or older. Durbin called his opponent "out of touch."
"I am lucky. I get a good paycheck. But, if you want to do public service, you have to get out and talk to them. These are not lazy people. These are hard-working people."
But, both candidates, along with students making minimum wage agree, it's going to take more than a few dollars to help the state's economy.
"I understand what it takes to motivate entrepreneurs to create business and grow jobs. Fundamentally, that's what this is all about."
"We have to make the tax code fair to working families to make sure they aren't being charged too much in taxes. We have to make sure education is affordable for these families."
Illinois' minimum wage is not the lowest; it's in the middle. Georgia and Wyoming are actually lowest. Their minimums are $5.15 per hour.
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