CHICAGO – The Chicago City Council has overwhelmingly supported a measure to increase the city’s minimum wage to $13 by 2019.
Council members gave their final approval Tuesday, a day after a council committee advanced the plan to raise the current $8.25-per-hour wage. Five aldermen voted against the measure, saying businesses will be tempted to leave the city and there could be job losses.
Supporters say the minimum wage hasn’t kept up with other increasing costs and people can’t survive on it.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel called Tuesday’s special meeting amid fears the Illinois Legislature could pass a measure preventing cities from setting their wage at a level higher than the state’s minimum wage. State legislators could vote this week on a plan to increase the state’s rate to $11 by 2017.
Things to know as Chicago votes to raise its minimum wage
- Chicago’s minimum wage workers will earn $13 an hour by 2019 under a plan the City Council approved overwhelmingly on Tuesday.
- The move raises Illinois’ $8.25 rate – which is $1 higher than the federal rate – incrementally. It’ll get bumped to $10 next year.
- City officials estimate roughly 400,000 Chicago workers will benefit from the change, which Mayor Rahm Emanuel hopes will “jolt” state lawmakers into action. Legislators are considering a statewide hike to $11 by 2017.
- Opponents say an increase could lead to job losses. Two of the five aldermen who voted against the measure are business owners who fear establishments will leave Chicago.
- Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner supports a minimum wage increase only in conjunction with other reforms. He says Emanuel should be mindful of Chicago’s competitiveness.
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