Arlington Heights should lead on minimum wage

On March 20, the board of trustees in Arlington Heights first considered the Cook County Board ordinance that incrementally would raise the minimum wage to $13 over four years starting in July. Sick pay would total 48 hours of time.

Because of home rule, a municipality can choose to "opt-out" of this ordinance. There was a great deal of input from the community on this important issue and Mayor Tom Hayes wisely decided to postpone the vote until the trustees had time to consider this input and carefully sort through all the facts and feelings about what is truly best for our community.

The vote for the Minimum Wage Ordinance is now scheduled for May 1. I believe that our Village of Arlington Heights should not opt out of raising the minimum wage. There has not been an increase in the minimum wage for many years and it is time to do it. The Minimum Wage Ordinance will be in effect in Chicago and in other suburbs. It is also true that many suburbs are opting out.

Arlington Heights has been a leader in many important quality of life matters. Now is the time to, again, show that same leadership. It is well known that the minimum wage is really too low to live on. For example, we have many nursing care facilities in this community with many workers trying to live on these low wages.

Let's do better. Give this some real thought and communicate your beliefs to our board of trustees. The meeting on May 1, 2017, will be very important for all of us.

Kathy Motto

Arlington Heights