A hot topic of discussion following President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address last Tuesday, is his proposal to increase the minimum hourly wage to $9 over the next couple of years. Currently, Illinois’ minimum hourly wage rate sits at $8.25, which is higher than the federal rate of $7.25.

Obama proposed the minimum wage increase be required to keep pace with inflation. However, local business leaders weighed in and said the increase could cause inflation, which in turn would put an additional burden on local businesses.

Princeton Sullivan’s Foods manager Mike McCall said anytime the minimum wage is raised, the price of items inflates to make up the difference.