What are the odds that an increase in the minimum wage can pass the Illinois House?
State Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) puts the odds at 50-50 and he says ensuring the increase covers the entire state – including Chicago – is a deal breaker for him.
“I think we should have a uniform minimum wage across the state,” Zalewski said.
Meanwhile, State Rep. David Reis (R-Sainte Marie), would rather see a minimum wage increase impact only Chicago because of the disparity in the cost of living from that city and much of Southern Illinois.
“You take a smaller diner in my area, and pay $10 an hour, it’s just going to kill them,” said Reis.
A bill that would increase the minimum wage to $10 in 2015 and bump it to $11 by 2017 has passed an Illinois Senate committee but has not been voted on by the full Senate.