The prospect of a minimum wage hike has the Illinois House and Senate in a standoff, and is putting Governor Pat Quinn back in the spotlight during his waning time in office.
In the same election in which voters ousted Quinn, they overwhelmingly voted in favor of increasing Illinois' minimum wage to $10. Sen. Kim Lightford, a Democrat from Maywood, says that's why the Senate was right to pass an increase Wednesday evening.
"Ladies and gentleman of the Senate, we should be proud of taking the step, on today, to help people, move them out of poverty."
Problem is, the House had already adjourned permanently, making the Senate's vote meaningless. Except that Lightford says Gov. Quinn told her he'd call representatives back to Springfield before Christmas.
The governor's office was less direct with reporters. In a statement, Quinn says he'll work to pass it in the House, seemingly leaving the door open to a special session, but not guaranteeing one.
