Chicago is one step closer to becoming the latest U.S. city to raise its minimum wage after a City Council Committee approved a plan Monday to hike the rate to $13 per hour.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called a special City Council meeting to pass the minimum wage ordinance, impacting businesses within city limits. Aldermen were informed of the meeting as early as Wednesday, according to the mayor's office.
A vote was scheduled to take place at a special City Council meeting on Tuesday morning.
The current proposal is to raise the minimum wage in stages. While most of the aldermen may be on board, many would have also preferred the state to raise the wage first. Those whose wards are along suburban borders are concerned the wage hike will drive business elsewhere.
Mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia issued a statement earlier Friday urging Emanuel to call the council into emergency session.
“More than a week has passed since 34 Members of the City Council went on record supporting a minimum wage hike and opposing efforts in Springfield to stop the city from taking action.” Garcia said. “The votes are there in the City Council. The threat is real. The only thing missing now is the political will to protect the people of Chicago.”
The mayor's office said the special meeting has been in the works for weeks.
