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House Approves Minimum Wage Raise Plan

The Illinois House has approved a plan to raise Illinois’ minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour. But it faces an uphill climb to become law.  A higher minimum wage has been a rallying point for Democrats and labor unions across the country.


Rep. Chris Welch, from Hillside, says his constituents want help bringing home more money.“If you flip a burger, you should make a decent wage too.”Illinois currently has an $8.25 minimum. This proposal would have it go up slowly, only reaching $15 in the year 2022.  Republicans and business groups counter that such a high wage would force employers to hire fewer people, or turn to automation.Gov. Bruce Rauner has supported a higher minimum wage in the past, but not $15, and only if it's tied to his economic agenda.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.