Kendall County Times

State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) finds Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s response to pleas for him to delay the statewide minimum wage increase set to kick in on July 1 all too predictable.

“It is another example of the hostile business environment we have in Illinois and why we continue to lose population and lose out on new jobs and new opportunities here in Illinois,” Oberweis told the Kendall County Times of the governor’s resounding answer. “Unfortunately, the governor has refused to even consider a delay.”

As part of the governor’s phased increase plan, the state’s minimum wage is slated to increase to $10 an hour on July 1 and to $11 an hour by the start of 2021. Oberweis argues with everything that the state has had to suffer through with COVID-19 and business owners with being forced to shutter for three months, neither party can hardly afford to take such an added hit.

“We aren’t saying repeal it, just asking for a delay to give businesses an opportunity to recover financially from the coronavirus lockdowns,” he said. “Many of the businesses that are doing OK have already given raises or extra hazard pay. So, the ones that will really be hurt are the ones struggling to hang on.”

Even with portions of the state recently moving into Phase 4 of the governor’s five-phase Restore Illinois plan, where businesses will now be able to operate with fewer restrictions and restaurants will to be able to offer some inside dining, Oberweis, now running against U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) in the 14th Congressional District, wonders if it will be too little, too late.

“Businesses have been hit hard by the mandated government shutdowns,” he said. “Many businesses will not reopen and for those that are trying to come back it is going to be a difficult road to full recovery. My colleagues and I have pleaded with the governor to at least push back the scheduled hike.”