WAGE HIKE COSTS

The Employment Policies Institute is raising concerns about proposed federal minimum wage hikes from Democratic Senate candidates in Illinois. According to a recent analysis, increasing the minimum wage to $17 or even $25 per hour could result in the loss of over 21,000 jobs in Illinois alone. Nationally, that figure could soar to as many as 1.2 million eliminated positions. The debate comes as Illinois prepares for a heated race, with ten Democrats and six Republicans vying for the Senate seat currently held by Dick Durbin, who has announced he will not seek reelection after his current term.