A local lawmaker is expressing concern that Illinois’ new minimum wage law for teachers could lead to increases in property taxes. State Senator Jason Barickman says the pay hike to $40,000 could just force school districts to bump up their levy. Local school budgets will be strained and cause other issues too. Barickman suggested finding ways to increase teacher pay through the school funding formula, “which we’ve spent years working on.” Barickman added that most school districts already pay above the minimum wage set by the state decades ago.

Gov. JB Pritzker said the measure will help attract teachers to the state. He added the salary increase will help attract college students to the profession.

The new law phases in the increase over four years, starting at $32,000 in 2020.

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