$15/hour Won't Work On West Main

New Governor. New ideas. Potentially devastating initiatives with his party colleagues in the Legislature in tow.

J.B. Pritzker is the second governor in a row who happens to be incredibly wealthy. His predecessor tried to lessen the power of organized labor and freeze property taxes. He failed.

Pritzker wants a graduated income tax, something the state constitution outlaws..and he is intent on raising the minimum wage. Understand, our $8.25/hour is already higher that the federal minimum. Also understand that Chicago is different. They have a $12/hour minimum wage --moving to $13 in July.

Pritzker wants the minimum wage In Illinois to nearly double to $15/hour before his term expires. That same proposal made it through the legislature last year before being vetoed by Governor Rauner. 

I think this idea will not help business in Illinois in any way. In fact, I think it will cost Illinoisans jobs. Small business owners will have to limit the hours of part-time workers and some positions will just simply be eliminated.

But that’s the humble opinion of a small business operator. I’m not a venture capitalist and I don’t have a billion dollars with my name on it in the bank because my ancestors built hotels.

I think it is very hard to understand the challenges of keeping a business open in downtown Fairfield when money is deposited in your personal bank account by Brinks.

 I’m worried about West Main----not the Magnificent Mile.