A statewide coalition is calling for state lawmakers to raise the minimum wage during veto session. The group, Raise Illinois, wants the legislature to increase the wage to 10 dollars an hour from $8.25 an hour.
Coalition spokesman George Hemberger says a majority of voters supported a non-binding referendum in the mid-term elections asking whether Illinois should raise the wage.
“66.5% of the people who voted on the question voted yes, so we feel we have a mandate to go to the state legislature this week and encourage them to raise the minimum wage here in the state of Illinois,” said Hemberger.
Governor-elect Bruce Rauner has asked lawmakers to hold off on major legislation until he’s in office. He’s said he supports raising the wage if pro-business reforms are also approved.