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* We’re only supposed to have one governor at a time, but Illinois has a history of governors-elect (or governors-in-waiting, in the case of Pat Quinn) who have tried to influence decisions before actually being sworn in. And it happened again yesterday…

The future governor did, however, urge Quinn and lawmakers not to take any major action to enact new laws before his administration takes over Jan. 12.

“I hope that there will be no real significant action take during the lame-duck and with a governor on the way out,” Rauner said.

“I hope that anything of significance to be addressed can wait until mid-January so we can all deal with it together on a bipartisan basis,” he said, adding that major decisions “made by folks who are on their way out of office … would be very inappropriate.”

Quinn, in conceding the race a day earlier, made clear that he would continue to push for passage of an increase in the state’s minimum wage to at least $10 an hour from its current $8.25 an hour rate.

* Because of that Quinn promise, Rauner made it particularly clear that the minimum wage should not be raised until he takes office. The response…

As far as attempting to raise the minimum wage, [Cullerton spokesman John Patterson] said: “Those would all be conversations to have with the members to see what they’re interested in doing.”

Steve Brown, spokesman for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, reiterated that.

“I think if there’s support for any particular proposal the Legislature should act,” Brown said.

* Statewide support for raising the minimum wage was two-to-one on Tuesday…

Yes 2,262,241 (66.7%)

No 1,129,856 (33.3%)

And the referendum didn’t just ask whether voters supported raising the minimum wage to $10 an hour, it asked whether that should be done before January 1, 2015 - which is, of course, before Rauner takes office.

The GA can also delay implementation until June 1 so that it only requires a simple majority vote.

* The Question: Should the General Assembly vote on raising the minimum wage before January 1? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

survey service

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:45 pm

Comments

Yes,
If the advisory referendum said to do that and it passed by as much as it did, you kind of have to or you show the entire advisory referendum this is kind of BS…

Comment by OneMan Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:48 pm
Yes - the meaning of who voted for what and why is great sport. But the referendum was clear - raise the minimum wage.

Comment by uptown progressive Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:52 pm
I voted no. Rauner has talked about the will of the people and I think the will is pretty clear here. I think the leaders should make this one of, if the not the, first things on his desk and test his word.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:54 pm
Yes–these people are still being paid for their labors, right? Or is that too much of a Mayberry notion in this day and age?

Comment by vise77 Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:54 pm
agreed with Oneman.

Adding to that, if there is veto proof support, then it really shouldn’t matter when they bring it up.

Comment by Person 8 Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:54 pm
Pass it now.

Rauner can’t have it both ways.

He opposed marriage equality supposedly because he thought there should be a referendum.

Well, the people have spoken on the minimum wage.

He will have plenty of time to make the case for worker’s compensation reform.

Last time, it was the House Republicans who unanimously opposed it.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:57 pm
We voted, it was unanimous. Why wait?

Comment by Sunshine Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:57 pm
I’d note that Rauner claims to have voted for the minimum wage hike. If he thought that a minimum wage hike should be voted on only if it included tort reform, he should have voted no.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:59 pm
Voted yes - the referendum sailed through, with clear margins, and included a date that requires lame duck action. Seems pretty straightforward to me!

On a related note, really despise the phrase “lame duck”. These legislators and the governor were elected for a term, which doesn’t end on Election Day!

Comment by Southern Scout Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 12:59 pm
Yes.

Let’s make the will of the people the law of the land.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:01 pm
(too soon?)

Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:03 pm
Yes - that throw-in on the date makes a difference.

Now get a referrendum on term limits (favored 60-15% in polls) on the ballot.

Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:04 pm
The people have spoken. Rauner said he supports it on the campaign trail. Raise it.

Comment by Class Warfare Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:05 pm
Kinda yes. It’s up to the current leadership. If they think it can be done, then they should proceed as they see fit. Rauner’s wishes notwithstanding.

However, I don’t begrudge Rauner asking for issues to be held off until he takes office. He’s not the first -elect to ask for that courtesy. I’ve told my sons that it doesn’t hurt to ask. The worst response you’ll get is NO. Quinn and the leaders have the right to say no.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:05 pm
One less thing Rauner has to deal with that may tick folks off. It’s a modest raise - let’s hope it doesn’t blunt economic recovery efforts.

Comment by dupage dan Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:05 pm
I voted No for him Yellow Dog. Yep, go ahead and raise it, raise it to $13/hour in Chicago while you are at it.

Never mind what happens to those small business owners.

Comment by anon Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:06 pm
Rauner won’t sign off on a minimum wage increase. I don’t care what he says. Do it now.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:06 pm
Yes, because as others have mentioned, governors’ and representatives’ terms do not end on election day.

Comment by G'Kar Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:06 pm
Why not. Elected officials are elected for a specific term. I don’t buy into the argument that nothing should be done after elections. If we want it to be that way then everybody needs to leave office after election day. Who cares what the new guys think.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:07 pm
Absolutely, pass it now. The vote was overwhelming in favor, and who knows what Rauner’s true feelings are after the election, he was all over the map before his votes were counted. Looking at his contribution base, I don’t think many on his side are depending on a paycheck for next month’s rent.

Comment by Louis Howe Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:09 pm
Gotta agree with Ducky.

Rauner’s plan is to stuff the minimum wage with enough poison pill amendments to kill Keith Richards.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:10 pm
Yes. 2/3rds of voters didn’t say they wanted to raise the minimum wage only if it is passed in a package of other pro-business reforms, which is Rauner’s plan (well, what he wound up settling on after flip flopping in a manner that makes John Kerry look like Ron Paul). If they supported Rauner’s plan, then the answer to the question should have been “no”, because Rauner doesn’t want to pass a raise that stands alone, which is what the question asked. The voters overwhelming supported a raise, and as Rich points out, it specifically said before January 1st. Pass it and move on. When conservative states like Arkansas, Alaska, Nebraska, and South Dakota voted to support a raise in the wage, its very apparent that this is only a controversial issue to corporate America.

Comment by Martin S. McFly Sr. Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:12 pm
Yes. I think they should take votes on all the referenda issues. ‘m not a fan of sneaking legislation through in lame duck sessions, but these are issues on which they people have spoken.

Comment by Pelonski Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:12 pm
Yes, do it now. Overwhelming public support for it. No good reason to wait.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:12 pm
It needs to be done in lame duck, since the question stated before Jan 1. The people overwhelming said yes. Let’s get that duck in the row before we start fighting the budgetary fight for 2015.

Comment by Runbikeswim1 Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:19 pm
No, wait for governor Rauner. He campaigned on a desire to raise it. This will be an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership, particularly in an issue that is opposed by his core constituency.

Comment by Anon Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:20 pm
Yes. Based on the advisory referendum vote it is pretty clear what the electorate wishes to see.

Comment by Stones Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:20 pm
Enacting this during the lame duck session will preempt the new Governor from using the minimum wage as a bargaining chip on other issues.

Comment by Bill White Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:23 pm
I forgot to answer clearly - Yes!

Comment by Bill White Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:24 pm
Yes. The referendum specifically said before Rauner’s term. He needs to get his shorts out of a wad, and respect ‘the will of the people’ who quite loudly said “YES”.

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:26 pm
The referendum speaks for itself and so do both of Brucie’s faces–he says he voted for it, but wants to have its terms ignored.

Comment by DPGumby Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:28 pm
Pass it now.

Rauner will have to come up with the money to increase funding to the non-profits that are doing the states’ work in human services to cover it. Otherwise, there will be agencies that will go belly-up due to the overwhelming funding cuts received six years ago and no increases then.

It’s bad PR for the governor when people with Downs Syndrome are made homeless because their group home closed due to the state failing to fund it adequately.

Comment by Aldyth Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:28 pm
Yes. Duly elected. Increase it and don’t play into rauners hand,
Rauner doesn’t need to pick a fight over this. Let it go and focus on the bigger, more urgent issues–income tax, budget, pensions.

Forget term limits, prop tax freeze for now.

Comment by Langhorneduly Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:28 pm
Yes.

Illinois voters will on this point is clear.

Honestly Rauner should be happy to get this out of the way and not have to answer questions about it and not have to deal with the political fallout of Dems passing it and him vetoing it as governor.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:30 pm
The people have spoken–do it today!

Comment by Barbie Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:32 pm
I voted yes. This would be the last clear chance to pass it without entanglements with workman’s compensation or other things Rauner wants. They have a clear shot, take it.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:33 pm
Anon 1:06 “Never mind what happens to those small business owners.”

Increasing purchasing power will be good for small businesses.

Comment by Class Warfare Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:38 pm
I voted yes. The people have spoken. One Governor at a time, please…

Comment by MP Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:39 pm
The voters have spoken now raise the minimum wage

Comment by foster brooks Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:40 pm
Since this “advisory referendum” was put on the ballot purely for political reasons I suspect that whatever Madigan and Cullerton decide to do at this point will also be driven by the inherent political benefits. What I don’t know is if they gain more by passing this now, or wait to put Rauner on the hot seat. My guess is that Rauner gains far more than he loses if he doesn’t have to deal with this hot potato later.

Be careful what you ask for.

Comment by pundent Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:40 pm
I’m not at all comfortable that a MW as high as $10. won’t negatively impact some businesses and hiring. But I am comfortable that the voters of IL are behind a raise up to $10. So yes. The General Assembly should craft legislation and vote on it now. Pushing it anything beyond $10. would be a huge mistake, though.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:40 pm
Will raising it to $10 solve the real problem (creating good paying jobs)? IA,KY,IN and WI are tied into the fed rate at $7.25. MO is at $7.50.

Comment by The Colossus of Roads Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:41 pm
I agree with YDD and Bill White’s comments.

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:43 pm
Yes, pass it now. Sure, it makes sure the General Assembly and the new Governor get off to a bumpy start, but I’ve been listening here to lots of criticism that the Democrats had the votes to raise this long ago and we should have done it already if it was so important. And I, for one, am happy to oblige those folks, who deserve to get what they asked for, good and hard.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:44 pm
No. It should be passed next year but only with other business reforms. And those won’t be part of the bargain unless the legislature waits for Rauner to be sworn in. Those who point to the referendum know full well that the deck was stacked.

Comment by Living in Raunerville Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:45 pm
Yes pass it right away so Illinois will be the highest in the nation. Then we will finally be #1 at something.

Comment by Empty Suit Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:45 pm
No… Bigger issues than something that could harm the business climate in Illinois…

Comment by Walter Mitty Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:46 pm
@Living in Raunerville

Can you elaborate on how the deck was stacked? It seems to me that it read pretty clearly. And even in a huge GOP year, this somehow passed 2 to 1.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:51 pm
Walter:

Are you suggesting that there are MORE things that the lawmakers should be passing in veto session?

Give us your list, but there’s no reason not to do both.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:52 pm
You can throw out the results from the non-binding referendum on minimum wage since it didn’t identify the costs to the voters for enacting it. Want to give more money to low paid workers?SURE!!!! Would you be willing to pay 10% more for food to pay for it? NOOOOO WAYYYY!!!!

You could do the same with public education. Put a non-binding question on the ballot asking, “Do you support a 20% increase in education funding?” and you’ll likely get a strong majority supporting it. Ask the follow up question, “Would you be willing to pay $2,000 more per year to pay for the education increase, and I’ll bet you dollars to donuts it goes down in flames, as do most school tax increase referenda.

The bottom line is that the unintended consequences of the increase in minimum wage will be an increase in food and government service costs, more employers hiring illegals to work for less than the minimum off the books, and fewer opportunities to get work experience for minority youths.

Another unintended consequence is increasing government union salaries that are already above the minimum for low skill work because of the way that contracts are linked to min wage.

The smart government approach here wouuld be to find out how this will much this will affect sector prices and taxes for the increase, THEN have the GA vote on it.

If the people are willing to pay the price, fine. If not, will the GA be so interested in following the “will of the people” when it doesn’t fit their agenda? Should be interesting.

Comment by Arizona Bob Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:54 pm
You’ll need to get those checker-pieces off my board, son.

2015 HB0001 The Veto-proof Bill Raising Our Minimum Wage.

Sign it and remind your financial supporters of my importance, veto it and I’ll remind you of your impotence.

Comment by Speaker Kasparov Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:56 pm
Ducky, is it really that difficult to understand how it passed 2-1? When you don’t have to make a payroll(most people don’t) or try to figure out how to be profitable in an operation(most people don’t) its easy to vote yes.

Most people don’t even bother to look at some of the ramifications, let alone understand them.

Comment by anon Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:57 pm
I didn’t vote either way. Regardless of even the referendum, the topic of raising the minimum wage has come up before. This legislature has been discussing it at the very least. There could easily be an understanding that this is some unfinished business appropriate for this body to act upon. I’m not for this, but I’m not voting in the legislature. There is a referendum offering direction and protection on this one. I still think it might be iffy to get a super majority, but maybe not. It’s much better than a lot of lame duck proposals or ideas. A little cooperation on standing down while the Governor finishes his term could go a long way. Needless to say, it gets a little sticky wicket out of the way too.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 1:58 pm
I voted no for the same reason Aldyth voted yes. An increase in minimum wage without an acompanying increase in funding would indeed be disaster for human service agencies. I lack his (her?) faith that Rauner (or anyone) will have the motivation to make it up later. I’d love to be wrong though.

Comment by Earnest Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:03 pm
it’s fairly clear that no one knows what bruce rauner is going to do, but what is clear is what the *voters* want, and that is to raise the minimum wage. if rauner came up with a clear plan for raising the wage *and* had public commitments from every gop representative and senator to vote for rauner’s plan to raise the minimum wage, then he would have an argument. but we know better. it would be a fitting last legacy for the governor to pass a minimum wage hike at the behest of the people of illinois…

Comment by bored now Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:04 pm
Anon:

Bruce Rauner is on record voting in favor of the referendum.

Are you telling me Bruce Rauner doesn’t know anything about how to run a business?

YDD

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:05 pm
I voted NO. I totally agree with Arizona Bob. The issue put before the public was advisory only. A lot more information needs to be given and details given before this is enacted upon and voted by the GA. All of those advisory ballot questions are way too simplistic just to approve or disapprove and be placed into law.

Comment by East Central Illinois Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:05 pm
Make very sure you know what the effect will be. As Aldyth said, will the state raise their rates for group homes/day programs that pay about $9 and there are many of them. Ready for child care services to jump? Around us there are many small packaging/service companies and factories paying $9. What happens to them? It may be a small issue in urban areas, but in rural areas $9 is very common.

Comment by zatoichi Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:08 pm
YDD… I too am really good at spending someone else’s money… Would you vote for a referendum to open the constitution to change pension payment obligations? I bet that would pass as well… Is that a great idea?

Comment by Walter Mitty Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:08 pm
tie the minimum wage to tort reform? um, no. no time like the present.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:08 pm
41% voting No.

However, of those who gave a reason, only 12% voted NO.

My math may be off, but not by much.

Comment by uptown progressive Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:12 pm
No.

They should have voted on it months ago. It is odious that Governor Quinn and crew postponed a vote for his own benefit. Let someone else, anyone else, get the == credit == for this.

It is also popular enough that it will pass after January 1, and can be done with bipartisan support. Staffers for Rauner, Madigan, Cullerton, Radogno and Durkin should be able to work something out in just a few conversations.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:14 pm
@Ducks, I was about to respond but AZ Bob was thorough. Including the “deck was stacked” issue. It’s always easy to spend someone else’s $$. But as AZ Bob points out, people will think and act harder when it’s their own pocketbook.

Comment by Living in Raunerville Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:14 pm
Vote on this and also pass anything else they’d like to. Rauner won one branch of government; the state legislature didn’t shift. It isn’t as if the legislature has a voter mandate to stand pat.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:16 pm
Voted no. I doubt that the two-thirds who voted for this would be suddenly be opposed if the vote waited until March.

Comment by Bluefish Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:19 pm
Yes. I think we will all need as much money as we can pull together for what plans Rauner is making.

Comment by jazzy Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:20 pm
YDD, do you know how to run a profitable business?

Bruce wants a minimum wage increase, along with other reforms. Not too difficult to understand.

But, I really was not questioning what Bruce did or didn’t do, I was addressing Ducky’s 2-1 comment. Building another strawman huh?

Comment by anon Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:22 pm
et al…
If you want to say people don’t understand the issue well enough to make an educated vote, then what is the point of democracy? Anyone know what Stalinism is? The people voted, and they largely voted yes. Could some people be hurt by a higher minimum wage. Sure. Could some people be hurt by not having a higher minimum wage. Sure. But who is helped and who is hurt by a minimum wage increase isn’t necessarily germane to the question of democracy.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:22 pm
Yes. Advisory or not, 2,262,241 people took time to fill in a blank to indicate that it should be changed. AZ Bob–Another unintended consequence is increasing government union salaries that are already above the minimum for low skill work because of the way that contracts are linked to min wage.

The smart government approach here wouuld be to find out how this will much this will affect sector prices and taxes for the increase, THEN have the GA vote on it.– So are you surmising that no one associated with wanting to raise the minimum wage hasn’t considered any of these things? No snark, genuine question.

Comment by Mad Brown Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:24 pm
The minimum wage question was on the ballot to drive dem voter turnout. It didn’t work in the governors race.

Comment by anon Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:26 pm
@ Ducky

We elect the GA to represent us. If we are going to use this amendatory ballot system to determine how laws are passed, then we might as well forego the GA entirely.

Comment by East Central Illinois Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:27 pm
@East Central Illinois

Would direct democracy be the worst thing in the world?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:28 pm
This thread needs more commenters posting using a variation of “anonymous”.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:28 pm
If the bill says January 1st then by all means that is what the people voted for. Rauner won’t be King, I mean Governor, until January 12.

Comment by lil enchilada Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:31 pm
from Ducky =Would direct democracy be the worst thing in the world?=

Yes, totally impractical. Ballots would be 100’s of pages long. Every issue under the sun would be up for popular vote. This is why we have a representative form of government; not just openly literally “the will of the people become the law of the land”.

Comment by East Central Illinois Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:32 pm
Yes. The 13th amendment was passed in a lame-duck session. Didnt have to wait for Grant to march into Richmond.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:36 pm
@East Central Illinois

Switzerland does alright.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:37 pm
Yes. It’s not too soon-It’s too late! Give the people some extra money for Xmas.
Plus, who cares what he wants he’s not the Gov yet.

Comment by Belle Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:37 pm
Yes, but don’t send it to Gov for signature until Rauner sworn in. Let him try to veto that after voting for it. I would enjoy watching that play out.

Comment by Concerned Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:37 pm
How about a minimum wage increase to $13 an hour and, for good measure, toss a one term, term limit for the Governor like in Virginia? We’ll see how strong Rauner is for term limits right out of the box…

Comment by Class Warfare Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:38 pm
Yes. Like it or not, Mr. Rauner, Pat Quinn is still governor until you take over. If you were in his place, I don’t think you’d wait.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:41 pm
lake county democrat
The courts have already ruled on that. Further, right now you can vote against anyone appearing on your ballot who has served however you define “long enough” … .

Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:46 pm
Big business is all about profit and not in general giving back to employees just stockholders so the employee should get a bit back. Would you spend over 27 million dollars of your own money for a job that pays less than 200 thousand? It’s all about greed. So let someone making 8.50 an hour make 60 bucks more a week. Maybe Rauner could just write them a check

Comment by jazzy Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:50 pm
Guys:

The question is:

Should the General Assembly vote?

There are some fine arguments on both sides here.

Let them be made on the floor of the state legislature.

I would suggest - nay encourage - the
Governor-elect to attend committee hearings and openly
Testify against the bill of he really feels that strongly.

Or provide draft language for separate amendments, have a lawmaker file them, and let’s roll.

Keep in mind the last increase in the
Minimum wage got a lot of GOP votes.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:52 pm
“Yes”

“might impact some businesses and hiring” Seems to me every time (and I do mean EVERY TIME) the minimum wage goes up, that argument comes out. Don’t we have an answer for that by now?

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 2:56 pm
jazzy, you do know that most employers are small businesses and they create the majority of jobs, don’t you????

In spite of what Hillary Clinton says.

Comment by anon Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:05 pm
I voted yes. In Illinois the people have spoken overwhelmingly in favor of raising the minimum wage to 10 dollars an hour. There is no reason to wait.

Comment by Enviro Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:09 pm
I vote yes — mostly because he’s still governor. The referendum is a joke - might as well ask if you like puppies and apple pies. The question is geared to garner a positive response.

Comment by Someone no one sent Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:16 pm
The GA submitted the minimum wage referendum, so they should honor the results with a vote before the end of the year.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:17 pm
Yes

How do you pay for it? Ask Mr. Rauner to write a check. If he can afford to buy the Governor’s Office, why not do something for the lower income worker. Never before in this Country’s history has the gap between the rich and poor been so large. Rauner can afford to buy the Governor’s Office while someone else is dumpster diving for dinner.

Comment by Anon102 Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:21 pm
A $15 an hour minimum wage is $31,200 a year. The average monthly SS benefit for a retired worker in April 2014 was $1,252 monthly, or $15,024; the average survivor benefit, $1,083 monthly as of April 2014. Thus the value of Social Security for which workers have paid into most of their working lives is now much lower than the minimum wage will be for unskilled workers in Seattle.

Raising the minimum wage above market rates is a form of wealth transfer at the expense of Americas working middle class.

Comment by What is to be done? Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:37 pm
Anon indeed I have worked for a number of small businesses making min wage no paid sick days 5 days vacation 6 days a week. Yep been there done that. I did get to watch my employer take a 2 week vacation to HI each winter. A 2 week vacation to the northeast each summer. Not saying all small business owners can do that but I do know when I got my dime raise an hour I was told time are hard for the business and maybe next year….found another job ….so all the talk about small business being hurt….well I would just have to say ….maybe maybe not depends where you are in life

Comment by jazzy Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:39 pm
Pass it now. The number one priority for Rauner should be pensions and the other fiscal problems that have the state strapped, not the minimum wage. If he thinks that is his number one on his hit list then he probably up to something. He will have to learn to live with disappointment. It comes with the job.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:45 pm
Voted yes…reluctantly

That’s the question “should they”

Governor Rauner, in his first lame duck 2 years from now, will want that too.

That’s why the “yes”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:50 pm
minimum wage increase + income tax sunset = human services agencies gone.

Comment by Jerome Horwitz Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:51 pm
JH true….if only we could have a flat tax no loopholes! So you soon to be rich min wage workers ante up….

Comment by jazzy Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:10 pm
- Ginhouse Tommy - Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 3:45 pm:

He shouldn’t waste his time on pensions. Quite frankly, that will be a losing battle because neither he nor the GA has the final word on that issue.

He needs to focus on making the revenue match the expenses and that will require quite a mix of work to strike a grand deal of cuts, reforms and revenue increases.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:17 pm
Lame ducks are still legislators. There’s a reason we don’t have a swearing-in ceremony as soon as the ballots are counted. It has always been that way, since Marbury v. Madison.

Comment by Levi Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:19 pm
Pass it now. It would be stupid to wait and allow Rauner to hold the wage increase hostage (to pass “business reforms”), so, in four years, he can take credit for it. Madigan and Cullerton aren’t stupid.

Comment by HCM Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:20 pm
Rauner will have to learn that governing is not the same as being the head of a company. People (the voters) opinions count, and the voters want the lowest wages to increase to $10 an hour before Rauner takes office. This means more tax income for IL.

Comment by Mama Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:34 pm
@Arizona:
By Government Union salaries, are you referring to Police and Firefighters? You know, police who have to go to Domestic Violence calls where someone may decide to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights? Or a firefighter that has to rush into your burning home and rescue them? Should they make 7.25 an hour…like mayo slappers at your local sub shoppe?

OR, are you referring to Teachers Unions?

Comment by Del Clinkton Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:34 pm
Bruce,

You raised your big right thumb up and screamed about how your the governor of everyone. So either be the governor you said your are, or get off the pot so someone else can lead. Your no longer CEO. You are in public life now.

Comment by Del Clinkton Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:37 pm
I’m with the “yeses”. Rauner will just inject his poison pills of “business reforms” and “right to work (for less) zones” into the bill, rendering it meaningless. Pass a clean minimum wage bill now.

Comment by my two cents Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:43 pm
As long as Governor Quinn is Governor he is responsible to fulfill his oath to the people of Illinois as he sees fit. When Rauner becomes the Governor, he will have that responsibility and expect it to be respected….just a Governor Quinn should be respected now. It has nothing to do with the merits of any bill he signs…It has to do with who is Governor.

Comment by DuPage Grandma Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:48 pm
YDD brought up Lane Evans the other day. I’ll second that, but I think it would be way okay for Quinn to sign a bump on his way out the door

Dude gave it his best shot for a long time for the right reasons. Salud.

For all you Ayn Rand trippers out there, I sure hope that extra nickel you might have to pay for your Happy Meal doesnt crash the world economy.

Because as we all know, minimum wage workers are the dominant force in the global economy.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 5:03 pm
I strongly oppose Lame Duckery by either side.

Comment by Percival Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 5:09 pm
Wow!
I can’t believe that Democrats wouldn’t love to put the new governor into a lose - lose headlock over an issue Illinoisans disagree with him over by two to one!

Rauner, the new guy in town, thinks he has a mandate? Who did he sweep into office with him? Which Democrat did his money beat Tuesday? Who lost their seat? Who is shivering in fear over the solo act in the decaying mansion?

You wait until he’s inaugurated, then show him how little had changed with his election by putting Rauner on the defense then. You don’t do it now. You make him stop the minimum wage increase and watch him get run over by it.

With the political support it got, along with his toothless mandate, you give him this problem and laugh as he is forced to eat crow over it.

Teach him a lesson. Slap him down.

You do it now and you look scared. You give him ammunition and excuses by ramming it through.

It’s going to happen with or without his support. Do it while he is in office so he gets schooled.

I can’t believe you people are running scared when everyone supporting this issue got reelected except Quinn, and it got 2-1 support this week.

Let Rauner stop it as governor, and get run over.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 9:16 pm