The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is accepting applications for the 2015 Undergraduate Scholarship. This application is for students seeking an undergraduate degree. Applicants should be an accepted student at an accredited institution of higher learning to include community colleges, private institutions and certified vocational training programs.

It is vital for any state budget to strike a balance – balance between common sense funding necessities for those who need critical services and ensuring that Illinois is fiscally sound and competitive. To achieve a competitively and compassionately balanced budget, Illinois must focus on jobs, education options, services, and above all, people.

Not funding education at a 100 percent rate again this year is simply unacceptable. Ninety-nine percent funding would not be enough, so the proposed 95 percent is certainly not adequate. Furthermore, the possibility of slashing the state’s child care program, worker salaries, Medicaid, and other critical services, while instituting sharper tax cuts for CEOs will not move Illinois forward. It will only lend itself to further alienation and degradation of those unlucky enough to be ill, young, elderly or poor.

Yes, government leaders in positions of power hold many responsibilities, one of which is ensuring a thriving private sector, attractive to business and industry – but not to be forgotten is the awesome responsibility of protecting and serving the people. We cannot fall prey to the idea that we can bring prosperity to Illinois by proposing a budget void of a responsible level of help for the needy. This is not a balanced or feasible approach.

I still hold hope that I can work with this administration to institute a budget relying on justified reform and facilitating job creation.

Since Jan. 1, nine states have increased their minimum wage. Today a plan to raise the minimum wage in Illinois to $9 per hour on July 1 passed the Senate. The legislation would raise the minimum wage incrementally by 50 cents a year until 2019, ultimately leading to a new minimum wage of $11 per hour.

“We are answering to the will of the people through the passage of this legislation,” said Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), the sponsor of the newly passed legislation and a strong supporter of raising the minimum wage. “The minimum wage should be a living wage. If you work full-time, you shouldn’t have to rely on government support to put food on your family’s table or a roof over your head.”

Illinois’ current minimum wage is $8.25 per hour. A single parent working a full-time minimum wage job qualifies for Food Stamps, Medicaid and often housing assistance. In addition, many minimum-wage workers are forced to work several part-time jobs to make ends meet.

On Wednesday, Gov. Bruce Rauner proposed raising Illinois’ minimum wage to $10 over the next seven years. Lightford says that’s not good enough.

“Illinois families are struggling now. They can’t afford Gov. Rauner’s baby-step plan,” Lightford said. “I understand that some small businesses are struggling, too, which is why my plan does have a reasonable phase-in process.”

The legislation also institutes a tax credit for businesses with fewer than 50 employees that gives them three years to adjust to the higher wage.

“When you take the cost of living into account, 50 years ago, the minimum wage was worth a lot more, allowing workers to earn a living wage that kept their families financially independent and functioning as part of the Illinois economy,” said Sen. Lightford.

Adjusting for inflation since the minimum wage was instituted in 1968 at $1.60 per hour, the wage today should stand at more than $10 per hour. Raising the minimum wage to $11 per hour would increase annual wages to $22,880 per in 2019. Though it would still be a struggle, this wage would lift many families out of poverty and end their reliance on state and federal aid.

The legislation, Senate Bill 11 now goes to the House for consideration.

Sen. Lightford talks about the minimum wage increase: