SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) voted today in favor of increasing the state minimum wage to $15 per hour.

“Right now people are working upwards of 60 hours a week and are still living in poverty. We need to bring stability, dignity, and fairness to the lives of working people in Illinois,” said Aquino.

The measure intends to raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour by the end of 2020, and increase by $1 each year until it reaches $15 in 2025. Additionally, the bill provides a payroll withholding refund to small businesses to assist them in the transition to a higher minimum wage.

“The common perception that the minimum wage is just for teenagers working summer jobs is false,” said Aquino. “This measure affects adults working as caregivers to seniors, recent graduates struggling to pay off student loan debt, and working-class people of all backgrounds.”

Senate Bill 1 passed the Senate and will move to the House for consideration.

AURORA — While President Trump continues to demonize immigrant families to advance a political agenda, Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) joined Gov. Pritzker in taking a proactive approach to welcome immigrant families to Illinois, ensuring they are supported and know their rights.

Illinois is home to 1.8 million immigrants, and one in six Illinois workers is an immigrant. There are 120,000 immigrant business owners in the state, and immigrants who are employers generate more than $2.5 billion in business income. They also pay billions in federal, state and local taxes. Importantly, immigrants are our neighbors, our friends and our family.

“Immigrants who come to America want to better their lives, contribute to their communities and live in a place where they feel safe. Welcoming Centers play a key role in guiding new immigrants and those seeking asylum as they settle into our great state,” said Aquino. “After years of dealing with a governor who continuously devalued the importance of these services, I look forward to working with a governor who places priority on our most vulnerable populations.”

CHICAGO – During an argument that broke out on the Congressional House floor on Thursday, Congressman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) yelled, “go back to Puerto Rico,” while Congressman Tony Cárdenas, a descendant of Mexican immigrants, was presiding over the chamber.

Congressman Cárdenas recently led a delegation to meet with Puerto Rican officials and bring awareness to the amount of help still needed for the island to recover from Hurricane Maria.

Illinois State Senator Omar Aquino reacted to the incident with the following statement:

“I commend Congressman Cárdenas for his work in bringing awareness to the needs of Puerto Rico at a time where they are being ignored by the Trump administration for a $5 billion wall to be built under the guise of public safety. He is being attacked for doing the people’s work and reminding people that Puerto Ricans are citizens and Congress has a responsibility to take care of all Americans.

“Many parts of Puerto Rico are still without running water and electricity, and their public safety is just as important as Congressman Smith’s constituents.

“I call on House GOP lawmakers to abandon their mission to defund FEMA when thousands of Americans are still in desperate need of help.”

CHICAGO- A plan approved after the killing of Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer and the shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida that holds corrupt gun dealers accountable and curbs illegal gun trafficking became law today.

Senate Bill 337 creates a certification process for firearm dealers through the Illinois State Police, and allows for more information on gun crimes to be made public. Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) released the following statement on the new law:

“We know that a high number of gun crimes are committed with illegally-owned firearms, and it’s not enough to keep sending our condolences to those affected by gun violence. This law brings us closer to answering the calls to action of parents, advocates and survivors across the state.

“I’m glad that Governor Pritzker chose to take rapid action on this important piece of legislation, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to continue bringing forward much needed reforms like the one he signed today.”