PEORIA, Ill. – Another new year, another minimum wage hike in Illinois.
As part of legislation passed several years ago that ramps up the state’s minimum wage from $8.25 an hour in 2019, the minimum wage goes to $14 January 1, ahead of the final increase to $15 in 2025.
Some Peoria residents are optimistic it will help people in this area, while some are not.
Resident Patrick Scott tells 25 News more affordable housing is needed, too.
“So, when they do get a job and they get a pay raise, it’s definitely going to help them get what they need or get where they need to be in life,” said Scott.
25 News reports they heard the same words over and over from a number of people: “We’ve been fighting for it for a long time.”
The minimum wage for servers and other tipped employees goes up as well, from $7.80 an hour, to $8.40.
“I’ve been here for 42 years now, and really, I don’t see it changing,” Thurman Johnson told 25 News, when asked if the wage increase will help the job market.
A business owner who declined to speak on the air told 25 News when wages go up, businesses have no choice but to raise prices, and it’s also harder to keep and retain good employees.
