Record #: R2014-524   
Type: Resolution Status: Failed to Pass
Intro date: 7/30/2014 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
Final action: 5/20/2015
Title: Call for Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development to hold hearing(s) on effect of current minimum hourly wage on workers and business owners in Chicago and methods for increasing current minimum hourly wage rates throughout Illinois
Sponsors: Tunney, Thomas, O'Shea, Matthew J., Lane, Lona, Harris, Michelle A., Pope, John, Laurino, Margaret, Zalewski, Michael R., Reilly, Brendan, Smith, Michele, O'Connor, Mary, Mitts, Emma, Brookins, Jr., Howard, Beale, Anthony, Colón, Rey, Cardenas, George A., Ervin, Jason C., Graham, Deborah L.
Topic: COMMITTEE/PUBLIC HEARINGS - Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
Attachments: 1. R2014-524.pdf
Related files: R2015-407

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RESOLUTION


WHEREAS, the national minimum hourly wage is $7.25, and has not been changed since July
1,2009; and

! WHEREAS, the minimum hourly wage in Illinois is $8.25 for employees who are 18 years of
age or older, and has not been changed since July 1, 2010; and

WHEREAS, every attempt to increase the minimum wage raises concerns about whether such an increase might deter business expansion and new hiring, or even force job reductions; and

, WHEREAS, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national
'unemployment rate in June 2014 was 6.1%, while Illinois had an unemployment rate of 7.1%; and

I WHEREAS, according to World Business Chicago, the unemployment rate for the City of
Chicago only for June 2014 was 8.2%;

WHEREAS, the unemployment rate for workers between the ages of 16 and 20 was 21% in I June 2014; and
i WHEREAS, establishing a higher minimum wage for the City of Chicago versus the rest of the
IState of Illinois would lead to a cut back in hiring and a reduction of jobs for City businesses just starting to recover from the great recession;
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WHEREAS, Chicago risks alienating more businesses near its borders as it considers a proposal ito create a Chicago-specific wage floor that is higher than all of its surrounding suburbs and the state of Indiana;
I WHEREAS, maintaining and increasing employment opportunities in the City of Chicago are of
great importance to the fiscal vitality of the city;

WHEREAS, both the United States tongress and the Illinois General Assembly have under [consideration various measures to increase the minimum hourly wage;
WHEREAS, Chicago should focus its policies on job creation so that unemployed residents can find work, investing in job-training so that its current unskilled workforce becomes a skilled workforce in emerging industries and providing a quality education that prepares children for college;

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the |City Council gather information concerning the workable al...

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