This victory has been 7 years in the making and we should be proud of our work in getting this accomplished. But we’re not done! We’re going to continue to fight for better contracts with higher wages!

Hi fellow SEIU member,

Today marks a tremendous victory for working families in Illinois.

With the Illinois House voting to approve SB 1, we are set to become the first Midwestern state to approve a $15 minimum wage!

The Fight for $15 launched in 2012 in Chicago and SEIU Healthcare Illinois members have helped lead the way in getting us to this point, taking action in every corner of the state demanding $15.

The current minimum wage of $8.25 has been in place since 2010, but the cost of gas, housing, groceries, child care, and utilities have climbed each year. Just over 40% – or 2.3 million Illinois workers – earn less than $15 per hour right now so this bill will boost wages for millions.

This victory will support Illinoisans earning the minimum wage, but it is also a critical step forward for every SEIU Healthcare Illinois member.

As we head to Springfield to fight for funding and as we head to the bargaining table to negotiate new agreements with our employers, this minimum wage increase gives us tremendous leverage to fight for more for those who are already earning above the minimum wage.

Governor JB Pritzker is expected to sign the minimum wage increase into law immediately and we applaud the efforts of the Governor and the General Assembly in making this a top priority to get done.

I’m so excited to get to work on negotiating new contracts for our members, and for launching campaigns to win the funding needed to lift wages across our industries.

This minimum wage victory is a testament to what we can accomplish when we stick together in our union and take action for our common goals.

When we fight, we win!

In solidarity,

Greg Kelley

President, SEIU HCIIMK

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We Need #15forIL Right Now