Higher minimum wage, salary range disclosure among new 2025 state laws

Minimum wage increase to $15 an hour among 300 new 2025 laws

The state minimum wage will increase from $14 to $15 an hour, with tipped workers seeing an increase from $8.40 to $9 an hour. This is the final year of annual minimum wage increases codified by a 2019 law.

Businesses with 15 or more employees must now include pay scale and benefits information on all job postings, and must inform current employees about open positions so they can choose to apply. Existing law also has been amended to clarify that Illinois employers do not have to enroll in E-Verify or any other electronic employment verification system, unless required to so so under federal law.

About 300 new Illinois laws will go into effect with the new year. You can click here to read more about the major ones, and you can find a complete list by clicking here.

Success stories flowing from McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes

The Pieceful Project, and Preserved Peculiarities, announced that they will be moving to locations in downtown McHenry, and Edge Designs is set to open a brick-and-mortar location in Crystal Lake. These entrepreneurs join The Bumble Bread Co., which likewise is opening in downtown McHenry.

The Riverwalk Shoppes, the brainchild of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, consists of 10 tiny shops that opened in 2023 at Miller Point Park. They provide a physical retail experience to small businesses ready to take on the challenge of operating in a brick-and-mortar location.

The Northwest Herald did a great writeup of these latest success stories, which you can read here (subscription required). Likewise, you can read here about the new businesses set to open in 2025 – including a romance bookstore by Star 105.5 FM’s Tina Bree – by clicking here.

Three local municipalities secure six-figure state grants for parks

The Huntley Park District will receive a $384,500 matching grant to renovate Ol’ Timers Park, near downtown. The funding will pay for upgrading the playground, adding exercise stations to its walking path, as well as new games.

A $600,000 award to the City of Woodstock will go toward a $1.2 million project to add a splash pad to the Woodstock Water Works pool facility in Emricson Park. The plan also includes sand volleyball courts, walkways and a native flower garden.

The Village of Fox River Grove also is receiving a $600,000 grant to improve Lions Park along the Fox River. The grant, along with a $1.3 million village match, will add new tennis and pickleball courts, half basketball courts, replace the aging picnic pavilion and playground, and add new trails and parking.

The funding comes from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant fund, which is administered by IDNR.

Voting to open soon for the 10 finalists for the new state flag

The commission will set up a portal in January by which people can vote for their favorite, or decide instead to vote for past flag designs, ceremonial flags, or to keep the existing one. The online vote will be nonbinding, but will be included in the commission’s final report to the General Assembly, which will then have the choice whether to adopt a new flag.

Click here for updates on when the voting will be open and to learn more about the final entries.

Skating once again opens at Miller Point Park

The rink is free to the public, and open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through the end of February, except for closures due to weather or maintenance. However, there’s no skate rental, so you have to bring your own.

Supervision is not provided, and parents are responsible for supervising their children. Rules include no food or drink, and no ice hockey. To learn more, click here.

Enjoy some hot chocolate with a side of local history

Hot Chocolate and History takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Besides the hot chocolate, the event includes mini tours, a scavenger hunt and other children’s activities.

To learn more about the historical society and its mission, click here.

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McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents