Activists across Illinois want business leaders to support an increase in the minimum wage.
Jordan Humphrey gathered with other protesters outside of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce building in Springfield. They argue the federal minimum wage should be raised to $10 dollars an hour.
Humphrey is a 22 year old college student at the University of Illinois Springfield. He’s working toward a degree in political science. He also works in sales for a wireless retailer and makes minimum wage, plus commission. He says it’s barely enough to make ends meet.
HUMPHREY: “I make about 500 to 600 dollars every two weeks, depending on what my commission is on phone sales. And honestly there are some weeks where I have $5 dollars in my pockets – 3 days to go ’til my next paycheck and I don’t know if I’m going to be able to eat or not.”
Illinois’ minimum wage is $8.25. That’s a dollar higher than the federal minimum. Small business owners say they can’t afford to pay their employees more, especially when the economy’s struggling.
