Democrats’ Minimum Wage Hike Will Cost Illinois Taxpayers Billions

Davidsmeyer votes against legislation that will hurt families

Springfield, IL…Today Illinois House Democrats passed over $1 billion in new government spending after admitting to a $3 billion budget deficit. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) voted “no” on Senate Bill 1 because the legislation was negotiated behind closed doors, will hurt small businesses and social service providers, increase labor costs by 82%, and raises costs for families.

“I am extremely disappointed that the majority party rushed through an admittedly flawed bill,” said Davidsmeyer. “They proved that their political timeline was more important to them than passing a bill that works.”

“House Democrats and the Governor’s office locked Republicans and small business owners out of negotiations. And by doing so; they added over $1 billion in new spending to the state’s budget.”

“As I thought about the impact of this bill and spoke on the House floor, I wanted to make sure to provide the full scope of this bill,” Davidsmeyer said. “I guarantee that senior citizens living on Social Security will not get an 82% increase.

“The cost of child care will go up. Nursing home care, medical care, and higher education costs will rise.”

“Grocery stores and pharmacies continue to close in our rural areas, creating food and pharmacy deserts. People shouldn’t have to drive 20 or 30 miles to get food and medication.”

“I am sure that those who have worked hard and worked their way up to $15/hour will not get an 82% increase, rather they will have been pulled down closer to the minimum wage.”

“In Seattle when they went from $11 to $13 per hour, the average minimum wage employee made $75 to $125 less per month, a decrease of $900 to $1,500 each year.”