A stroke of Gov. Pat Quinn's pen has put on the November ballot a measure asking voters if Illinois should boost the state's minimum wage to $10 an hour by 2015.
Signed by Quinn on Sunday, the question is non-binding. But Quinn and other Democrats say it'll give them support to move the idea through the Legislature.
Legislative attempts to raise the minimum wage have failed. Illinois' minimum wage is $8.25, which is $1 higher than the national rate.
Quinn is seeking re-election, and increasing the minimum wage has been one of his priorities. The efforts coincide with a national push by Democrats.
Republican challenger Bruce Rauner says he'd be open to raising it under the right circumstances.
Business groups oppose raising the rate, saying it'll kill jobs.
