The biggest issue for Illinois lawmakers in the year's last veto session this week is whether they can muster votes for a minimum wage hike.
A proposed increase to $11 an hour by 2017 would be a capstone on Gov. Pat Quinn's decades-long political career before he leaves office in January. But the bill's fate rests in the hands of fellow Democratic leaders with their own agendas.
Chicago officials have called an "emergency" meeting to consider raising the city's own minimum wage this week. Aldermen are concerned that lawmakers will pass legislation restricting cities' ability to set their own rate higher than the state's.
A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan said the speaker is surveying lawmakers to determine "what changes if any" should go into a pending Senate bill.
Raising the minimum wage likely to be biggest issue in veto session
