Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Latonya Brock wants the state minimum wage increase set for July 1 to be frozen. | Facebook
Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Latonya Brock wants the state minimum wage increase set for July 1 to be frozen. | Facebook
The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce’s executive director wants state lawmakers to freeze the state's minimum wage hike that is scheduled to take effect July 1.
Latonya Brock wants lawmakers to present the freeze request to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, according to WGEM News. Brock said that Illinois’ stay-at-home order has businesses experiencing hard times, with some businesses fearing how they will pay employees.
The minimum wage is set to increase July 1 to $10 per hour, up from the current minimum wage of $9.25 that went into effect Jan. 1, 2020, according to the Illinois Department of Labor. The minimum wage will rise incrementally and by Jan. 1, 2025 it will be $15 per hour.
State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) is working on getting help for businesses, according to WGEM News.
“We’re looking at ways to reach a balance that will lessen the impact for those that are going through this, whether they be frontline workers, whether they be those that are laid off, and then the businesses that employ them,” Tracy told WGEM News.
Additionally, Tracy posted on her Facebook page that “Paycheck Protection Program” applications began April 3.
In the Paycheck Protection Program, small businesses can apply for loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration, Tracy said on Facebook. The loans will be forgiven for “businesses that keep all employees on the payroll for eight weeks.” The money is for payroll, mortgage interest, rent or utilities, according to Tracy. The program will be available through June 30.
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