Voters said they’re okay with a higher minimum wage, boosting education funding with additional taxes on millionaires and requiring health insurance providers to include birth control in their coverage.
The referendum questions on the November 4, 2014 ballot are non-binding advisory questions that, essentially, tell legislators what the voters think. The vote does not directly impact existing law.
Illinois voters approved the statewide advisory that called for the state’s minimum wage to increase from the current $8.25 per hour to $10 per hour by January 1, 2015. With about 90% of all precincts reporting, the measure passed with 68% of the vote; 32% of the vote was against the measure.
Voters also approved a referendum that would require health insurance plans to include prescription birth control and prescription drug coverage offered to residents of Illinois. With about 90% of all precincts reporting, the measure passed with 67% of the vote for and 33% against.
Voters additionally said they would support a 3% tax increase on income over $1 million to help fund education in Illinois. That measure was approved with 65% voting for and 35% against after about 90% of all precincts reported on election night.
