Letter: Northbrook Should Not Opt Out Of Minimum Wage Ordinance

Written and submitted by Caryn Fliegler

As a six-year resident of Northbrook and an active member of the community, I know that the way we treat each other reflects on not just us as individuals, but on us all. I also know that people work hard in this community to earn a living for themselves and their families, and to give back.

I would like to see Northbrook reflect these values in caring for the needs of its businesses, workers and consumers. Specifically, a Cook County minimum wage increase and sick leave benefits – which have already been approved by the county – are scheduled to go into effect July 1. I urge Northbrook to follow these ordinances rather than choose to opt out.

Hourly workers in Cook County have not seen an increase in the minimum wage for years. The Cook County minimum wage increase ordinance is a reasonable step to compensate hourly workers for their contributions: It raises the wage from $8.25 to $10 an hour in year one, plus $1 an hour each year until reaching $13 an hour in 2020. Cook County will also allow workers to begin accruing up to five days a year of paid sick leave.

These ordinances would not only be good for the workers who earn them. They would ensure we are attracting and retaining quality talent. They are also widely popular in our village: Our voters overwhelmingly supported these benefits in 2014 and 2016 non-binding referendums (by over 2-1 margins). A decent wage also means workers will have more income to put back into the economy.

I ask the Board of Trustees to decide against opting out. I hope my fellow residents will join me in this support for hard-working people who deserve a reasonable, fair wage and paid sick days. Why would Northbrook want to be out of step with what's right?

Sincerely,

Caryn Fliegler