By IL Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – A proposal to raise Illinois' minimum wage to $7.50 an hour is half-way through the legislative process, but it's still unclear what the House will do. A House panel discussed the issue Monday but didn't take a vote.
The state's current minimum wage is $6.50, which is higher than the national rate. Additionally, the proposal to raise it a dollar would index the minimum wage to inflation.
While the measure would likely pass the Democratic-controlled House, the question is whether Representatives will get the chance to vote on it. That's in the hands of Speaker Michael Madigan, who's so far been non-committal.
Given that the legislation doesn't require the wage go up until July, Madigan's spokesman, Steve Brown, wondered aloud what the hurry was.
Brown says Speaker Madigan is aware that Governor Rod Blagojevich has said HE wants the proposal passed during the legislature's fall veto session, which is set to end Thursday.
Brown says various factors may weigh into Madigan's decision, including if the federal government takes action to raise the minimum wage on its own. But he says Illinois has always taken pride in being ahead of the nation.