House Committee Votes to Raise Illinois Minimum Wage to $10/Hour

The Illinois House Labor Committee Friday approved House Speaker Michael Madigan's plan to ask voters whether the state should increase the minimum wage to $10/hour.

The plan, which would put a non-binding question on the November ballot, was approved on a vote of 12-7, basically along party lines.  Madigan's proposal comes after Illinois Democrats have struggled to find enough votes to increase the minimum wage, which is now $8.25/hour, to $10.65/hour.

Madigan said, "It's clear the state needs to be doing more to reduce economic inequality."  However, some Democrats in swing districts joined Republicans in resisting the effort, amid fears that companies might lay off workers or hire fewer new ones.

Local St. Rep. David Reis voted against the measure and told Speaker Madigan that while he is attempting to help people, there are no jobs available to pay them that higher wage.

The measure moves on to the full House for consideration.