2008 Woodie Awards
In the money
Holly Meyer
Issue date: 6/27/07 Section: News
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The dollar increase of $6.50 per hour to $7.50 per hour affects just Illinois. Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed the minimum wage increase bill, Senate Bill 1268, in December.
"It's been many years since minimum wage has increased to a reasonable level," David Kauzlarich, Sociology and Criminal Justice Chair, said. "It's been a long time coming."
Kauzlarich said if a worker earns minimum wage, it is difficult for them to pay for the cost of living.
"A gallon of gas is almost 40 percent of what they make in an hour," Kauzlarich said.
Rik Hafer, Economics and Finance chair, said the minimum wage increase affects mainly teenagers. For the adults that work minimum wage level jobs, they are generally "second wage earners" or they work more than one job.
However, Hafer said raising the minimum wage would not be beneficial for everyone working minimum wage jobs. Theoretically, it could lead to people losing their jobs because employers cannot afford to pay all of their workers the increased wage.
"It raises the minimum wage for those who have their jobs, but not for those who lose their jobs," Hafer said.
The legislation also includes a three-year annual increase. The minimum wage will reach $8.25 by July 1, 2010.
Hafer said the minimum wage increases will probably have no effect on the United State's economy. However he suggests that wages should not be set by the legislature.
"Why set the minimum wage?" Hafer said. "Why not let the market do it?"
As a student supervisor for the business office in the Morris University Center, senior Lauren Switalski said she is not sure if she will be affected by the increase. Student supervisors are paid a dollar more than minimum wage already. Switalski does not know if she will be paid an additional dollar for her supervisor status.
"If I get my extra dollar, I'm really excited," Switalski said.
However, Switalski was concerned about the negative impact a minimum wage increase can have.
"The more your minimum wage goes up, the more you have to pay for things," Switalksi said.
Kauzlarich said employers should be able to handle paying their workers the increased wage.
"Many employers are making record profits," Kauzlarich said. "It's more difficult for individuals to find a good paying job than it is for businesses to make a profit."
Sophomore Kassie Eaker works the front desk in the Kimmel Leadership Center. Eaker said she will be affected by the increase and welcomes the extra money to pay bills.
"I just got a brand new car," Eaker said.
The last minimum wage increase in Illinois was four years ago in 2003. The rate was raised from the federal rate of $5.15 per hour to $6.50 per hour.
The federal minimum wage reached $5.15 per hour in 1997, and it still sits at that rate.
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