* No press release or even a list of signed and vetoed bills from the governor, but there are some press releases…

Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed legislation that would have increased the statewide minimum to $15 per hour by January 2022.

“Governor Rauner’s veto doubles down on his stance against some of our most vulnerable communities. Throughout his term he has irresponsibly cut the child care assistance program, held up grant money for low-income college students and caused severe damage to our social services through a historic budget stalemate.

“There is no reason why a single parent working full-time should qualify for food stamps and Medicaid. Our workers deserve financial independence and the empowerment that comes from being able to provide for a family.

“Our fight does not end here. I will continue to stand for hardworking people struggling to make ends meet as I have done my entire career because I know the difference a living wage can make in a person’s life, in our communities and in our entire state.”

* And another one…

Following is the statement of SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Greg Kelley following Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 81, legislation to raise the minimum wage in Illinois to $15 by 2022.

“Bruce Rauner’s veto of a $15 minimum wage for Illinois sets the stage for 2018. More than 2.3 million Illinois workers would have benefited from Senate Bill 81, which was carefully considered and vetted by business groups, workers and economists before its passage by the General Assembly.

“Knowing this was wrong for Illinois he waited to the last minute and, with this veto, Gov. Rauner showed us once again who he is and what his vision is for Illinois: A permanent low-wage economy, where services and infrastructure are slashed, where workers are deprived of dignity and rights and where corporations call all the shots.

“In supporting the $15 wage bill, we understood that raising the wage isn’t a threat to jobs. In fact, it would have immediately provided a BOOST to the Illinois economy. It would have stopped the subsidy of corporations who don’t pay a living wage. It would have slowed population flight by making Illinois a wage oasis. And it would have helped MILLIONS of Illinoisans get a fair shot at entry into the Middle Class.

“The Illinois minimum wage has remained at $8.25 since 2010. This is not even CLOSE to enough to get by and the terrible effects are falling disproportionately on women and people of color.

“The time for a raise to is now. If Gov. Rauner won’t allow this to happen in Illinois, we will join with workers across this state to elect someone next November who will.”

*** UPDATE ***  Here’s his veto message…

Today, I veto Senate Bill 81 from the 100th General Assembly, which raises the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour over the next four years.

Helping low-income families and individuals get out of poverty is a top priority, and I share the passion of many members of the legislature for improving the well-being of those struggling to make ends meet. However, mainstream economic theory and mainstream economic evidence strongly suggest that an increase in the minimum wage of this magnitude will hurt the very individuals it seeks to help.

The most thorough research to date, published earlier this year by researchers at the University of Washington, found that for every 10 percent increase in the hourly earnings of low-wage workers, there was a 30 percent reduction in employers providing those jobs.

This research implies that Senate Bill 81 will result in a net reduction of earnings for low-wage Illinoisans in excess of $1,500 per year. This legislation would cost significant sums of money for the very people it purports to help. Illinois needs to be seeking comprehensive solutions that grow the economy and the number of jobs available where individuals can train, grow and attain better lives for themselves and their families.

* Press release…

Illinois Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Todd Maisch’s statement on Governor Rauner’s veto of SB 81:

“Thanks to the governor’s veto of SB 81 Illinois employers can breathe a little easier today. We applaud the governor for vetoing legislation that would have increased the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. This keeps Illinois in competition with our neighbors by helping to maintain our jobs and to recruit prospective employers.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the legislation because the proposed increase in minimum wage would kill jobs, even for those looking to climb the economic ladder. By vetoing the legislation, the governor is saving thousands of jobs.

A study completed by the University of Washington this summer confirmed that jobs and work hours fell in Seattle after it raised its minimum wage to $13 just last year. If anything, this should be a sign that $15 minimum wage laws do more harm than good. Even St. Louis is expected to roll back its minimum wage from $10 per hour to $7.70 per hour at the end of this month.

Elected officials in other states are acknowledging that higher minimum wages are destructive to job growth. Too many lawmakers continue to ignore the truth that raising the minimum wage, like in SB 81, kills jobs.”

* And…

On Friday, Governor Rauner vetoed SB 81, which would have gradually raised the state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022. Grassroots Collaborative is a labor-community coalition representing tens of thousands of Illinois low-income families whose lives and communities would have greatly benefited from the passage of SB 81. The following is a statement from Amisha Patel, Executive Director of Grassroots Collaborative.

“Governor Rauner has shown once again that he does not care about our communities and the pain Illinois families are experiencing. Raising the wage floor in Illinois to $15 per hour would have created a pathway for 2.3 million Illinois workers to move their families out of poverty. After decades of cuts to vital services, education, and infrastructure Governor Rauner is adding insult to injury for communities that continue to be abused by the Governor and his wealthy clique of political insider friends.”

“Governor Rauner showed his true allegiances by protecting his wealthy friends at the expense of Illinois working families. By vetoing the bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, Rauner denies a desperately needed raise to 40% of all Illinois workers - 46% of all female workers in Illinois, 48% of African American workers, and 61% of all Latino workers. After cutting funding to communities across the state by not passing a budget for two years, Rauner’s veto further devastates these 2.3 million Illinois workers. Bruce Rauner cares only about corporate CEOs and their lobbyists - and millions of workers will be the ones who pay the price.”

* Pritzker campaign…

“Today, Bruce Rauner vetoed an opportunity for working families across this state to build better lives,” said JB Pritzker. “Once again, Rauner abandoned Illinois working men and women and stood in the way of progress for those striving to get into the middle class. It is time Illinois’ working families had a partner in Springfield who is committed to the fight for 15. I know we need to raise the minimum wage to $15 and I will make sure Illinois workers have a seat at the table in the work ahead. Rauner’s veto reminds us that our fight is far from over and I look forward to standing with Illinois families every step of the way.”

* Biss campaign…

“Rauner may have proven himself an ally to a few hundred CEOs, but with this veto he’s also confirmed himself as an enemy to the 1.3 million Illinoisans who work at low wage jobs.

“We need a government that works for the rest of us, not for the millionaires—and this election gives us an opportunity to rise up and make our voices heard. To say loud and clear that no one deserves to live in poverty, and all workers deserve a living wage. That’s why I co-sponsored the minimum wage increase in the Senate, why I’ll work to override Rauner’s veto, and why I’ll keep fighting for living wages when I’m governor.”

* Rep. Guzzardi…

State Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-39th) issued the following statement in response to Bruce Rauner’s veto of SB 81, which would have raised the minimum wage to $15 in Illinois:

“I am deeply disappointed but not in the least surprised by this veto. Once again, Gov. Rauner has shown that he’d rather protect the profits of his corporate allies than help lift millions of Illinoisans out of poverty. We, the people of this state, know whose side the Governor is on. It’s not ours.

“We’ll work harder than ever to build support for a living wage in the legislature. I hope we can override the Governor’s veto. And I also hope we can elect a Governor who will put working people before corporate profits.”

* Ameya Pawar…

“When Bruce Rauner was running for governor, he was outspoken against raising the minimum wage in Illinois. Meanwhile, during his time as a venture capitalist, he relied heavily on low wage workers to make hundreds of millions of dollars in profit.

“Now we see him vetoing the graduated increase of a minimum wage for Illinois workers by 2022 at a time when corporate profits are at an all-time high and the Illinois economy continues to struggle. Make no mistake: This is Rauner’s vision for Illinois, a race to the bottom where workers are stripped of wages and rights, where middle-class families are struggling to get ahead while all control of our future is placed in the hands not of everyday Illinoisans, but in corporate boardrooms where scruples fail to reach.

“A $15 wage floor for Illinois workers is needed to keep our state competitive, to grow our economy and to ensure dignity for those whose labor profits others. Rauner’s veto will not end this fight and it will not end mine.”

* IRMA…

“Illinois retailers applaud Governor Rauner for standing up for Main Street businesses by vetoing SB 81, legislation that would have forced employers to reduce hours and eliminate jobs. The state’s minimum wage is already the highest in the Midwest and if this measure had become law it would have put Illinois retailers at a competitive disadvantage compared to neighboring states. Unfortunately, we’ve seen the real-world effects of the political campaign for a $15 minimum wage in Chicago and other jurisdictions and the results are in; it deprives economic opportunity from those with few or no skills. We thank Governor Rauner for his actions today on behalf of every retailer across this state.”

* Greg Baise…

“The IMA is strongly opposed to the ‘Fight for $15’ minimum wage increase, a wholly irresponsible measure that would force employers to make cuts and put more middle class families out of work. Across the country, states and municipalities with an increased minimum wage are experiencing the aftermath of that decision, and even in Illinois where Cook County passed a minimum wage increase in 2016, more than half of their municipalities are opting out of this job-killing measure. To create jobs and grow businesses in Illinois, we need sound public policy and meaningful reforms that entice companies to grow within our borders, and not just another mandate that artificially inflates wages. Lawmakers should focus on creating good, high-paying manufacturing jobs that pay more than $74,000 annually in wages and benefits, far more than the minimum wage. We applaud Governor Rauner for standing with employers on this decision.”

* Chicagoland Chamber…

“We applaud Governor Rauner for standing up for Illinois’ business community by vetoing SB 81. At a time when our employers continually see new taxes, fees and mandates at both the local and state level, we cannot afford new laws that would inhibit job growth and business development. In addition, we need to do the harder work of investing in our citizens’ workforce development, including vocational training, community college, and the trades. A politically expedient increase in the starting wage does not provide a road to prosperity over the long term. Our state is in need of sound economic reforms, which will strengthen our communities, and the Governor’s actions today was a major step in protecting our state’s jobs,” said Michael Reever, acting president & CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

* Chris Kennedy…

Governor Rauner has dealt a cruel blow to all working people today by vetoing SB 81, a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Rauner cannot be trusted to serve in the best interest of the people of Illinois. His leadership does not represent our state.

As governor, I will continue to push for a $15 minimum wage and promise to sign such a bill into law. When those most impacted by poverty do better, we all do better. As FDR once said, “In our seeking for economic and political progress, we all go up - or else we all go down.”

* Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael T. Carrigan…

“Governor Rauner’s veto of the bill to increase the state’s minimum wage is another failure in his leadership. Our economy is off balance, with too much wealth in too few hands. The state minimum wage has not been increased since 2010, and it is there to provide for economic stability for working families. Rauner chose winners and losers with his decision today, he once again chose corporate CEOs over working people.”