Answers for debate on minimum wage

For all residents in Arlington Heights who wish to see the minimum wage increased, I have two great alternative solutions for you.

First, connect with someone in town who is struggling at the current minimum wage and help them in the following ways:

If they are an illegal immigrant, seek out a pathway for them to become a citizen and invest your time and money to bring it to fruition. This will open the door to greater possibilities of employment at a living wage and will in effect stop the predatory hiring of these workers at well below market wage.

If they and others are lacking skill sets needed for advancement into jobs paying a living wage, seek out a pathway for them to become educated and trained by investing your time and money to get them enrolled in classes at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, District 214 Community Education or Harper College. If they need to be connected to businesses that have open positions paying well above the current minimum wage, contact the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, as we have many businesses in town looking to fill and expand their skilled employee base.

Second, engage the resources of your local chamber of commerce and start your own business so you can provide living wage jobs. Don't expect someone else to solve this problem if you are not willing to do it yourself. Your local chamber of commerce has the resources to take you from idea, to opportunity, to development and then help you launch your business.

Creating jobs or developing the skill set for jobs that are designed to provide a living wage will allow the local economy to thrive and solve this issue without relying on legislation to place more financial burden on those businesses that have created jobs never intended to provide a living wage.

Jon S. Ridler, Executive Director

Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce