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After minimum wage debate, Arlington Heights chamber to host jobs tent at Taste

The Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce will host a jobs and career tent at Saturday's Taste of Arlington Heights that officials say is in response to their support of the village's opt-out of Cook County's minimum wage ordinance.

Representatives of Express Professional Employment, a staffing company, and other local businesses will be on hand to talk about job opportunities in the area. The tent is sponsored by the chamber and Village Trustee Jim Tinaglia, owner of Tinaglia Architects.

"Working with the chamber and their business members to promote living wage jobs and entry level jobs available in Arlington Heights has been a priority for me since voting to opt out of the Cook County mandate," Tinaglia said in a news release. "I encourage everyone to stop by the tent and connect with these great opportunities."

Businesses that will be at the jobs and career tent, from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, include Lutheran Home, Rand Medical Center, Jewel-Osco, Tuscan Market and Wine Shop, Pure Salon and Spa, Northwest Community Healthcare, Woodcrafters DIY Studio and State Farm Insurance Agent Jennifer Burnidge. The fest will be in the downtown near Vail Avenue and Campbell Street.

Jon Ridler, the chamber's executive director, said there are openings for jobs that pay minimum wage and more than minimum wage.

The village board voted 5-4 May 1 to opt out of the county ordinance raising the minimum wage to $10 an hour July 1. The current Illinois minimum wage of $8.25 applies in towns that opted out of the county rules. The board also opted out of an ordinance mandating businesses pay employees up to five sick days per year.

The chamber advocated for the opt-outs, with Ridler arguing at the time the county rules would create an unfair form of taxation on businesses and increase the price of goods. Supporters of the minimum wage held rallies before two village board meetings and packed the boardroom, saying they wanted local officials to take action because state and federal leaders haven't.

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Jon Ridler
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