Illinois city official pushes minimum wage increase, but not right-to-work
 

[March 27, 2015]  By Benjamin Yount
 
 SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Springfield Alderman Sam Cahnman is the latest to pitch a plan that would have the city raise its minimum wage from $8.25 to $10 an hour. He’s less sure about listening to local voters who may want to see Springfield, or Sangamon County, become a right-to-work zone.

“My job as an alderman is to carry out the wishes of my constituents,” Cahnman said Thursday. “And they’re telling me…they want the minimum wage increased.”

Cahnman is making the pitch just days before voters decide if the Democrat gets another term.

Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to let local voters decide if their city or county should continue to force workers into unions in some jobs, or if workers should have the choice to join. Rauner calls the local right-to-work votes ‘employee empowerment zones.’

“I want local voters, I want you to be empowered to decide this issue for yourselves,” Rauner said last month. “The counties that liked the status quo and…closed shop, keep it. Terrific. Those who want to compete and recruit more manufacturing firms and transportation companies, terrific.”

Cahnman defends the status quo. But only when it comes to closed shops, not lower wages.

“No one is forced to join a union,” Cahnman said, adding that workers simply have to pay fair share.

But businesses would be forced to pay a higher minimum wage under Cahnman’s proposal. His response?

“I favor the free market,” Cahnman explained. “Businesses should be allowed to run their businesses and be more competitive.”

Kim Maisch, Illinois state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, said that kind of thinking is funny.

“I love it when (politicians say) ‘Let’s let the people decide,” Maisch said. “’Unless they won’t decide the way we want them to.’”

Maisch said Illinois had no problem adding two nonbinding ballot questions last fall that let voters weigh in on a higher minimum wage and a 3 percent additional tax on millionaires.

“Why is it such a horrible idea to allow local voters at least the opportunity, even if it’s not legally binding, to voice yeah or nay on right-to-work zones?” Maisch asked.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel doesn’t want to let voters decide on right-to-work.

The Democratic mayor on Thursday said in a statement that “Governor Rauner is continuing his race to the bottom by asking cities like Chicago to pass ‘Right to Work’ zone resolutions. I will not support (it) – and will oppose every step of the way,” the mayor’s statement read. “That’s why I’ve launched an effort to build “Right to Thrive” zones that will protect our workers and provide an array of incentives to help businesses create jobs in struggling neighborhoods throughout our city.”

Maisch said Emanuel’s right-to-thrive zone comes just months after the mayor hammered through a $13-an-hour minimum wage in the city.

“They’re an island now,” Maisch said. “Not only in Illinois, but in the Midwest (with) one of the highest minimum wages in the country. You can’t tell me that’s not going to increase the cost to do business in that city.”

Rauner’s right-to-work plans are on hold pending legal challenges.

[This article courtesy of Watchdog.]