Bomke supports minimum wage increase    

Measure to increase wages to $7.50 an hour

[DEC. 4, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Senate lawmakers approved a measure Thursday that would increase Illinois' minimum wage to $7.50 an hour beginning July 1, 2007, reported state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield.

Bomke voted in favor of the $1 increase, which he thinks will help many of his constituents who are struggling to afford the cost of necessities, such as shelter and food, at the current wage. The bill also allows the state to increase the wage by 25 cents over a three-year period; by 2010 the minimum wage could be $8.25.

"After reviewing the changes made by House lawmakers, I think that increasing the minimum wage had the potential to help millions of Illinois residents without seriously harming the state's businesses and employers," said Bomke. "The amendments to the initial legislation, such as allowing employers to pay 50 cents less an hour to workers who are 18 and younger and recently hired employees, addressed some of my initial concerns."

Bomke noted that when the General Assembly approved the minimum wage increase in 2003, he had concerns that the higher wage would hurt businesses and result in employers releasing staff -- ultimately reducing overtime hours and leading to price hikes. However, he says that there is no evidence that increasing the minimum wage had any serious consequences for Illinois' businesses.

"This was a difficult decision, but I'm hoping that this minor increase will make a difference in some lives," said Bomke. "To a lot of people, a dollar seems insignificant, but to far too many Illinois residents, that extra dollar can be critically important."

[News release from Sen. Larry Bomke]