Andrade Votes to Raise the Minimum Wage for Working Families

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Committed to ensuring working families earn a living wage while balancing the needs of small businesses, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, voted in support of legislation to raise Illinois’ minimum wage to $15 per hour and also provide small and medium-sized businesses tax credits.

“No one who works full-time should be struggling to make ends meet. But that is reality for many families working for minimum wage,” Andrade said. “I have endured that struggle and have seen too many of my neighbors do the same. It is time we pay fair wages to those willing to put in an honest day’s work.”

Andrade is supporting Senate Bill 1, which would gradually increase the statewide minimum wage from $8.25 to $15 an hour by 2025. The Andrade-backed measure will also provide tax credits for small businesses and non-profits to help them offset the increased wages. According the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, a $15 minimum wage would generate $19 billion in revenue as working families would have more money in their pockets to help local businesses grow and succeed.

“Families in our state deserve economic security for their contributions to our communities,” Andrade said. “Providing them a living wage is long overdue because nobody who works full-time should live paycheck to paycheck.”

Andrade is a member of the Labor & Commerce Committee, where he voted in favor of advancing Senate Bill 1. The bill will now go to the House Floor for consideration.