Black Caucus: Budget proposal great start to help Black communities (VIDEO)

• Black Caucus
• Budget
• Video

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus responded to Gov. JB Pritzker’s first budget address on Wednesday.

Leaders of the Black Caucus discussed some of the main issues facing Black communities, ranging from criminal justice reform to higher education.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, Chairman of the ILBC-

“The governor’s budget plan is a great start to tackle some of the key challenges we are facing including ensuring a living wage for working families and that students around the state receive a quality education.

“His speech was very realistic about the hole that we are in and how we can climb out of it over time, while continuing to support crucial services like mental health support and violence prevention programs.

“We look forward to working with our colleagues and the governor’s administration to guarantee that the issues facing the black community are prioritized in the next state budget.”

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Lightford: Governor’s budget delivers on education

• Budget

SPRINGFIELD – Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) responded to Gov. JB Pritzker’s first Budget Address on Wednesday with the following statement:

“The governor presented a plan that delivers on his commitment to education, restorative justice and social services. I am especially excited about the increase in education funding that prioritizes investment in some of our neediest districts across the state including additional funding for early childhood education and grants for low income college students.

“While we do have some work ahead of us, this is a good place to start. I look forward to exploring the governor’s proposal further and finding ways to making a lot of these promises a reality.”

Lightford minimum wage increase signed into law (AUDIO & VIDEO)

• Video
• Minimum Wage
• Audio

 SPRINGFIELD – Minimum-wage earners statewide will see their first pay increase since 2010 under a new law raising the minimum wage to $15 by January 2025 negotiated by Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood).

“Today is a victory for working families across the state, and a symbol of commitment to struggling populations across the state,” Lightford said. “I commend Governor Pritzker for making a higher minimum wage a priority and look forward to working with him moving forward.”

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Lightford: Illinois workers are one step closer to a raise

• Minimum Wage

House approves minimum wage increase

SPRINGFIELD – Minimum-wage earners statewide could soon see a pay increase under a proposal approved by the House on Thursday that raises the minimum wage to $15 by January 2025. Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) negotiated the measure that would give hardworking families a much-needed raise.

“We’re one step closer to bringing stability to a population that was neglected during the previous administration,” Lightford said. “As basic needs become increasingly more expensive, we have a responsibility to ensure working people are being compensated for being the force that keeps business moving.”

Senate Bill 1 would increase the minimum wage to:

• $9.25 per hour on January 1, 2020
• $10 per hour on July 1, 2020
• $11 per hour on January 1, 2021
• $12 per hour on January 1, 2022
• $13 per hour on January 1, 2023
• $14 per hour on January 1, 2024
• $15 per hour on and after January 1, 2025

Illinois’ current minimum wage is $8.25 per hour. A single parent working a full-time minimum-wage job qualifies for food stamps, Medicaid and often housing assistance. A $15 per hour minimum wage would lessen single parents’ and families’ reliance on assistance.

The measure also increases the minimum wage for individuals under the age of 18 but at a slower pace, going from $8 on Jan. 1, 2020 to $13 on Jan. 1, 2022.
Under Illinois law, workers who receive tips, like servers and delivery drivers, receive 60 percent of minimum wage and receive the rest in tips or are supplemented by their employer. That dynamic will mean the tipped wage would increase to $9 per hour by 2025.
The measure now heads to the governor for final approval.