MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES IN CHICAGO

The state of Illinois increased the minimum wage on January 1, 2020 for the first time in a decade, but that may not be enough to recruit and retain employees seeking entry-level jobs in Chicago.
The state of Illinois increased the minimum wage on January 1, 2020 for the first time in a decade, but that may not be enough to recruit and retain employees seeking entry-level jobs in Chicago.

Minimum Wage Workers Seeking Opportunities in Chicago

BY WENDELL HUTSON, Contributing Writer

The state increased the minimum wage on Jan. 1 for the first time in a decade, but that may not be enough to recruit and retain employees seeking entry-level jobs in Chicago where the minimum wage is much higher.

Jonathan Phillips, a 27-year-old Calumet City resident, is currently unemployed after recently losing his job at Jewel Osco in South Holland.

“I worked there for three years before they let me go,” contends Phillips. “But now, I am looking to get ‘paid’ and I know that is not going to happen in the suburbs. I’ve been trying to find a job in Chicago where the minimum wage is more.”

Minimum wage increased to $9.25 per hour from $8.25 for the state last week and will increase by $0.75 on July 1. Starting July 1, 2021, a $1 increase will occur each year until 2025 when hourly wage will be $15. In Chicago though, minimum wage is $13 per hour thus making it more attractive to entry-level job seekers like Phillips. A $1 increase will occur on July 1 and again next July to also bring wages to $15.

The ultimate goal for City Hall is to make entry-level wages in Chicago not only competitive but also livable.

“Ensuring Chicago adopts a $15 minimum wage by 2021 is a top priority for Mayor (Lori) Lightfoot,” said Lauren Huffman, a mayoral spokeswoman.

Tenisha Jones, 33, lives in West Chesterfield but works at a Popeyes restaurant in Evergreen Park making minimum wage. She too is looking to find employment in Chicago where wages are higher.

“It’s crazy that I do the same type of work other folks are doing at fast-food restaurants in Chicago but I am being paid less,” said Jones. “If I work as a cashier and someone else at Popeyes also works as a cashier, why should they get paid more than me just because the restaurant is located in the city? That’s not fair at all.”

Corey Bradford co-owns two Dock’s restaurants including one in Country Club Hills, and said he would like to see the minimum wage set at the same rate for both the state and Chicago.

“I have a restaurant in Chicago where I pay a higher minimum wage based on the law, and a restaurant in the suburbs where the law dictates lesser wages even though employees are basically doing the same work (as those in Chicago),” said Bradford. “It would be great to have one law that covers the entire state but until then, I will continue to follow the labor laws set forth.”

He added the formula for taxes is unfair for businesses with a suburban and Chicago location because the merchandise sold in the suburbs cost less than what’s sold in Chicago. “Chicago customers are paying higher prices for the same merchandise that’s sold in the suburbs due to taxes,” Bradford said. “I’d love to see a more fair tax system for Illinois and not have two different tax formulas.”

But not everyone will be paid the minimum wage rate especially during the first 90 days of employment.

New employees age 18 and up can be paid $0.50 less per hour, according to state law (Public Act 101-0001). And minors (17-years-old and under) can be paid $7.75 per hour but must be paid at the regular, minimum wage rate if they work more than 650 hours in a calendar year. And tipped employees, such as waiters, can be paid 60 percent of the hourly minimum wage.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.