Quincy Reporter

A proposal has been introduced that would bring changes to the minimum wage in the state of Illinois. 

According to WGEM, there is a new proposal being discussed that would base minimum wage rates on where an individual lives. 

This proposal — SB-3396 — was introduced by Sen. Jil Tracy (R-47th District) and argues that because there are areas which cost more to live in, individuals residing in those areas need to earn more to afford daily expenses. 

This proposal comes in the wake of a number of minimum wage changes in the state, a trend which began in January 2020, when the minimum wage rose to $9.25 an hour. On July 1, 2020, the wages are set to increase to $10. 

At the Quincy-based Water Works, the employees are looking forward to the minimum wage increase that is planned to continue until 2025 when it is projected to reach $15 an hour. 

"If they were to change the law and get it towards regionally, and drop the minimum wage it would help this area a ton,” Rob Warning, owner of Water Works, told WGEM.

Another Quincy-based company, Domestics, Etc., is somewhat concerned about the impact that a required higher minimum wage might have on small business owners. 

“I think rationalized might be a really good idea. Again just because we are a smaller community and you do want to try to keep things within a reasonable amount,” Joy Berhorst, owner of Domestics, Etc., told WGEM. “The cost of living is probably lower than what it is in some of those other places that they are raising it to the $15."

In order to be enacted, the proposal first needs to pass through the Democratic-controlled General Assembly. If passed by the General Assembly, the governor could sign it into law. Historically, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) has been in favor of raising the minimum wage, but it is unclear what his opinion of the new bill is.