Villanueva: Raising the Minimum Wage Levels the Playing Field for Working Families

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, issued the following statement after legislation creating a fair wage in Illinois, Senate Bill 1, passed the General Assembly Thursday: 

“Under the status quo our state’s economic system has failed working families. During the last ten years, basic living expenses like health care, food and housing grew, while the minimum wage remained the same. 

“Coming from a working class immigrant family, the fight for a fair wage has been an issue close to my heart. I know firsthand the impact a minimum wage increase will have on families throughout our community, and as someone who helped organize Raise the Wage back in 2014, it is an honor to have had the opportunity to vote for this critically needed measure.

“Residents that are working full-time in our state should not be forced to decide between putting food on the table for their family or being able to make rent on time. We need to make sure that every resident that is willing to put in an honest day’s work is paid a living wage. Our economy should work for middle-class families, not corporations or the ultra-wealthy.

 

“Today was a first step in enacting the bold, progressive changes that are needed to get Illinois back on track. I would like to thank all my colleagues in the House and Senate who supported this measure, and I urge Gov. Pritzker to sign this bill into law.”