Illinois Senate Committee To Consider $15 Minimum Wage
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A Senate Democrat plans to push for a phased-in $15 minimum wage in Illinois.
Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford of Maywood says she'll likely present her legislation Wednesday to the Executive Committee.
It would increase the state's minimum wage from $8.25 per hour to $15 over six years.
It would apply statewide. Business groups protest that the minimum wage should be tiered to reflect differing economies throughout Illinois.
Lightford said last week she fears a worker in central Illinois making less than one in Chicago would not have the same opportunity to escape poverty.
Lightford last won an increase in 2006. It topped out at $8.25 in 2010. Chicago adopted its own path to $15. The minimum in the city moves to $13 this year.
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