City Council Update
Chamber Weighs In on Minimum Wage Resolution
At their March 5 meeting, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling on President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10. Illinois currently has a minimum wage of $8.25, the highest rate in the Midwest and the sixth highest in the nation.
Click here to view the resolution. The Chamber sent a letter on its position to members of the Committee on Budget and Government Operation prior to a hearing on the resolution.
The Chamber opposes legislative efforts to raise Illinois' minimum wage in the Illinois General Assembly at a time when the regional economy is still recovering from the recent economic recession. Raising the minimum wage would put Illinois companies at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states, potentially forcing them to reduce hiring or eliminate jobs.
The Chamber contends the minimum wage should be addressed at the federal level to prevent states from competing with each other.
Click here to view the Chamber's letter.
Ordinance Mandating Employee Paid Sick Leave Introduced
Aldermen Joe Moreno and Toni Foulkes introduced an ordinance at Wednesday's City Council meeting that will mandate all employers provide their employees with paid sick leave.
The ordinance would require small employers (less than 10 workers) to provide 40 hours earned sick time (5 days) while all other employers are required to provide 72 hours (9 days) of earned sick time. One hour of sick time will be earned for every 30 hours worked.
Use of the sick time by an employee will be allowed for:
- illness, injury, and to receive medical care;
- victim or family of a victim of domestic or sexual violence;
- when a family member is ill, injured or receiving medical care; or
- if the employee’s place of business is closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency or employee’s child place of care has been closed due to a public health emergency.
The Chamber is carefully reviewing the impact the proposed ordinance would have on Chicago's employers. In principle, the Chamber is a business organization and as such, we oppose new restrictions or mandates on business which might create additional burdens and costs.
Click here to view a copy of the ordinance.
Additional Measures Introduced at the March 5, 2014 City Council Meeting
Plastic Carryout Bag Ban (Ald. Moreno)
The ordinance would prohibit all business establishments in Chicago from providing a plastic carryout bag to any customer for the purpose of carry a good purchased from the establishment. The proposed penalty for violating the ordinance would be no more than $300 nor more than $500 for each offense.
Click here to view a copy of the ordinance.
Coke & Coal Bulk Facility Prohibition (Mayor Emanuel, Ald. Burke & Pope)
The ordinance would amend the zoning code to prohibit new facilities that are involved in the business of storing and processing coke and coal bulk materials from locating and operating within Chicago. The proposed ordinance explicitly exempts facilities used in manufacturing cement.
Click here to view a copy of the ordinance.
Waste and Recycling Facility Location Prohibition (Citizen Introduction)
The ordinance proposes to restrict any facilities with waste-related uses under Classes III, IVB and V from locating within in 250 feet from all schools, day care facilities, play centers, libraries and places of religious assembly. Additionally, such facilities must not be located within 3,000 feet of an existing such facility.
Click here to view a copy of the ordinance.
Resolution Calling on Airlines to Suspend Flights to Russia (Ald. Moreno, Burke, Maldonado, Reboyras)
The resolution calls on all air carriers using Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport to suspend all passenger and freight services between Chicago and Russia until the Russian government ceases all threats against Ukraine.
Click here to view a copy of the resolution.
The next Chicago City Council meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2014.
