Minimum wage hike proposal awaits its final hurdle

SPRINGFIELD – Minimum wage workers would earn a dollar more per hour next summer under legislation the Illinois House approved on Wednesday afternoon. The measure also includes 25-cent raises in each of the following three years, boosting the current minimum wage of $6.50 up to $8.25 by July 2010.

A Senate committee approved the legislation Wednesday night, and the full chamber could send it to the governor's desk today. Gov. Rod Blagojevich has already agreed to sign the bill into law.

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