Workers will get extra bang in wallets come July

SPRINGFIELD –Thousands of minimum-wage workers will have Christmas in July, when a $1-an-hour pay hike takes effect. Increases of 25 cents will follow in each of the next three summers.

The Illinois Senate approved the minimum-wage legislation in the closing hours of the fall veto session on Thursday, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich promised to sign it into law.

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