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.