Action Now convened the Raise Illinois coalition made up of community, business, faith and labor organizations along with minimum wage workers and supporters that are committed to fighting to raise in the minimum wage in Illinois.
Right now the minimum wage in Illinois is $8.25 an hour, which is simply not enough to live on, especially for working families. People who work for a living, should make a living wage. Illinois needs good jobs that keep people out of poverty, not in it!
The Raise Illinois coalition released the results of a poll conducted in January 2011 that showed that 71% percent of voters in Illinois support increasing the state’s minimum wage. There was strong support for the increase in every area of the state.
In 2011, Senate Bill 1565 was introduced in the Illinois General Assembly. This legislation would gradually increase the minimum wage over four years, until 2014, when the wage will hit $10.65 and thereafter go up with the cost of living each year.
You can find more information about our campaign to raise the minimum wage by going to the campaign website: www.raiseillinois.com
My Life On Minimum Wage: Jophanie W.
Alton, IL
I work at a warehouse where I make $8.25 an hour. I have a two year old son, and it is a struggle to raise a child, work full-time
and go to school. Even though I work full-time, I have to use government programs like food stamps and a medical card to get by. This assistance helps, but it is still really difficult for me to pay my rent and bills on a minimum wage salary. My son and I have to live with two other adults in a two bedroom apartment because we can’t afford to live on our own. If there was a raise in the minimum wage, my son and I would have a chance at a better future.
Raise Illinois: Minimum Wage Campaign Video!
