1. Defining a Living Wage

2. Notes Title: “A Living Wage”
These notes are to help you with the final project for this unit
Due on Friday

3. Minimum Wage This is the lowest amount a worker can legally get paid
In Illinois = $8.25/hour
Yearly Income:$16,500 a year

4. A Living Wage
A wage that allows a family to meet their basic needs without needing government assistance (LINK, Section-8, etc.)

5. Who’s Against a Living Wage?
Capitalists and small business owners say that a living wage will…
Force them to fire workers
Raise their prices
Lower their profits
Put them out of business

6. Real Living Wage Laws
Cities that have passed “living wage” laws have seen significant benefits
Los Angeles, Baltimore, & Boston have laws that cover certain jobs and raise pay to about $12/hr

7. In these cities, workers:
quit their jobs less often
became more productive (worked harder)
spent more money in their communities, which helped business
Unemployment did NOT increase, which means businesses did not fire workers

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