Illinois Senate Approves Raising Minimum Wage to $11 by 2019

The Illinois Senate has approved a plan to raise the minimum wage from $8.25 to $11 per hour by 2019.

The Democratic-controlled chamber voted 35-18 on Thursday to advance the proposal. It now moves to the Illinois House, where its passage is less certain.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner (ROW'-nur) opposes the plan. He proposed Wednesday that Illinois raise its wage to $10 over seven years — and only if an increase is accompanied by pro-business reforms.

State Sen. Kimberly Lightford sponsored the measure. The Maywood Democrat says it will help minimum wage workers to move out of poverty.

But Republicans say they want to give Rauner an opportunity to advance his proposal. They say raising the wage without measures to help businesses could prompt companies to cut jobs.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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