While visiting a Chicago church in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Illinois’ governor rallied to raise the minimum wage.
Governor Pat Quinn continued to drive to raise Illinois’ minimum wage to at least $10 per hour. He said an increased minimum wage would help the citizens living in a poverty-stricken society.
“There is no better way to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. than by raising Illinios’ minimum wage,” said Quinn. He said Dr. King’s life was based upon service and compassion. “We can continue his mission to eliminate poverty by raising the minimum wage to at least $10 an hour.”
According to the Office of the Governor, a full-time minimum wage worker in Illinois makes $16,600 each year, which is below the Federal Poverty Threshold for a family of three. If the state’s minimum wage had kept on pace with inflation it would be $10.75.
According to the Department of Labor, Washington stands with the highest minimum wage rates in the country at $9.32 per hour. Wyoming has the lowest at $5.15 per hour. If Illinois’ minimum wage increased to $10 it would be the highest in the country.