State Week: Minimum Wage Going Up, Pension Payments Going Down

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Sean Crawford,

Brian Mackey, Daisy Contreras, Daisy Contreras, Charles N. Wheeler III

Published February 15, 2019 at 5:05 PM CST

Democrats in the Illinois House approved an increase in the state minimum wage. Assuming Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs the legislation — he's said he will — the rate will gradually climb to $15 perhour in the year 2025;

Meanwhile, top Pritzker budget aid Dan Hynes floated the idea of reducing the upcoming payments into the pension fund. It would provide budget relief in the short run, but could eventually leave Illinois' already-underfunded pension systems in even worse shape.

Sean Crawford hosts with regular panelists Charlie Wheeler, Brian Mackey and Daisy Contreras, and guest Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business.

State Week | February 15, 2019

Sean Crawford

Chatham

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Brian Mackey

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

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Daisy Contreras

Daisy reports on various assignments for NPR Illinois. She graduated from the Public Affairs Reporting master’s degree program at the University of Illinois Springfield, where she spent time covering the legislative session for NPR Illinois' Illinois Issues. Daisy interned then researched for the Chicago Reporter. She obtained an associate degree in French language from Harry S Truman College and a bachelor's degree in communications from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Before coming to Springfield, Daisy worked in communication roles for several Chicago non-profits. Daisy is from Chicago where she attended Lane Tech High School.

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Daisy Contreras

Daisy reports on statehouse issues for our Illinois Issues project. She's currently a Public Affairs Reporting graduate program student at the University of Illinois Springfield. She graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with an associates degrees from Truman College. Daisy is from Chicago where she attended Lane Tech High School.

Charles N. Wheeler III

The director of the Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) graduate program is Professor Charles N. Wheeler III, a veteran newsman who came to the University of Illinois at Springfield following a 24-year career at the Chicago Sun-Times.

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