News Local/State

Durbin, Quinn Push For Minimum Wage Increase

By The Associated Press
 

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn have joined labor unions and workers to push for raising the minimum wage.  The Democratic lawmakers spoke Monday in Chicago.

Durbin says the U.S. Senate could vote this week to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour.

He says he supports the measure, which is unlikely to get a vote in the Republican-controlled House.

Durbin says people who go to work every day shouldn't live in poverty.
 
Quinn is pushing a separate measure to raise Illinois' minimum wage from $8.25 to $10 per hour.  He said it would stimulate the economy by putting more cash in workers' pockets.

“Some of the hardest working people in Illinois are working 40 hours a week and living in poverty – that is unacceptable,” Quinn said, in a press release.  “Raising the minimum wage will empower working families and help build an economy that works for everyone.”
 
Opponents say hiking the minimum wage will force companies to lay off workers, adding to Illinois' already high unemployment.