Western Springs Opts In To Cook County Minimum Wage Ordinance

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — The Western Springs village board recently voted to opt into the Cook County Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave ordinances, with an effective date of May 18. The village said one ordinance increased the minimum wage to $10/hour as of May 18, with annual increases of $1 on each successive July 1, capping at $13/hour in 2020.

According to the village president's newsletter, the minimum wage will then be adjusted annually based on the rate of inflation, with a not-to-exceed rate of 2.5 percent. The other ordinance grants workers the ability to earn up to five paid sick days per year.

Originally, the village opted out of these two county ordinances last year. The village said the recent vote to opt back in is a vote on the merits of the ordinances themselves.

According to the president's newsletter, the trustees spent a significant amount of time researching these matters, and heard from community members and other proponents on both sides of this debate at committee meetings, board meetings, via email, telephone calls, and personal conversations.

According to village president Alice Gallagher you can help by shopping locally whenever possible.

"More than ever, our community’s businesses and restaurants need your patronage as they adjust to the new provisions of the Cook County Minimum Wage and Earned Sick Leave mandates."

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