House District 64 state representative candidates differ on minimum wage, income tax

A Republican incumbent and her Democratic challenger have set themselves apart on the minimum wage debate and Illinois' income tax in their race for a state representative seat covering McHenry and Lake counties.

Barbara Wheeler, the incumbent, is running against firefighter/paramedic Joel Mains. Wheeler, who served eight years on the McHenry County Board, was elected to the General Assembly in 2012.

Voters will decide Nov. 4 which Crystal Lake resident should represent House District 64. The district's territory in McHenry and Lake counties includes Crystal Lake, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Johnsburg, Bull Valley, Spring Grove and Wonder Lake.

Mains and Wheeler tackled the issues during a recent Daily Herald editorial board joint interview and on candidate questionnaires.

Among the issues confronting lawmakers is a push to raise Illinois' minimum wage from $8.25 an hour. Gov. Pat Quinn said last week the minimum pay should be at least $10 an hour, citing that the extra income would trickle down to boost local economies.

Wheeler said a state government behind on its bills should not tell business owners what to pay employees.

"Shoot, why not make it $25.50?" Wheeler said. "Then we'll all have enough money to be broke again, because the cost to business will go up, the cost of goods will go up (and) the cost of doing business in the state of Illinois will go up."

She added an improved state economy would allow businesses to make more money and raise employee pay.

Mains, in his first run for an elected office, said he favors a boost in the $8.25 minimum wage, contending local spending would increase if the minimum wage were boosted. He said someone who works a full-time job deserves enough money to pay for food, clothing and shelter.

"People at the bottom end of the wage scale don't invest that money," Mains said. "They spend it on everyday necessities."

Wheeler and Mains also differ on whether a temporary income tax increase should be extended or made permanent. The state's 5 percent tax rate is supposed to revert to 3.75 percent at year's end.

"I definitely think the expiration should be revisited," Mains said. "I would support a statewide referendum on the ballot giving voters the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment to implement a graduated income tax."

Wheeler said state government has a spending problem and that the 5 percent income tax rate shouldn't continue.

"I believe that when individuals and businesses are taxed less, they will spend more," she said.