Villa Pushes for Economic Growth, Supports Minimum Wage Increase

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After the Illinois House of Representatives joined the state Senate in approving a minimum wage increase, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, issued the following statement:

“As the daughter of local small business owners, I strongly considered the impact that an increase in the minimum wage would have on our communities and state as a whole.  I fought for a plan to help low-income workers and businesses alike, and the legislation that I supported balances families’ need for fair pay with the needs of small businesses.

“Not only will small and medium-sized businesses receive tax credits to help offset a significant amount of the cost of increased wages, but it is estimated that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour will generate 19 billion dollars in new economic activity each year.

“Increasing the minimum wage is just the first step in working to rebuild Illinois’ fiscal integrity and stimulate economic growth.  Illinois will also benefit from an increase in the minimum wage in the long run, as billions of dollars in new economic activity will also generate much-needed revenue for the state to help start paying down the enormous backlog of unpaid bills.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Villa’s office at 630-326-9319 or StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.