On Jan. 1 an estimated 450,000 minimum wage workers in Illinois received an 18 percent pay increase under a law designed to raise the minimum wage to $6.50. Opponents of the measure said it would hurt business and lead to job cuts. There has been some evidence of small businesses reducing their workforces and raising prices. However, a study has found that having a higher minimum wage will not put Illinois at a competitive disadvantage compared to other states.
See "Wage rises; debate continues", Barbara Rose and John Chase, Chicago Tribune, January 3, 2005