Illinois Governor vows to raise minimum wage, set to inflation

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/4532

Illinois Governor vows to raise minimum wage, set to inflation

On Saturday Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich announced a proposal to increase that states minimum wage every year based on inflation. The governor said he plans to introduce a measure in November that will raise the current minimum from $6.50 per hour to $7.50 per hour - if need be - he will hold state lawmakers into the holiday break. The last wage increase for the state was in 2003. If the governor’s measure passes then Illinois will become the fourth state in the union to tie the minimum wage increases to inflation. The governor’s election year opponent Judy Baar Topinka objects to a state raise in the minimum and instead says she would push for a raise in the federal minimum. The federal minimum wage is $5.15 per hour and has not seen an increase in more than nine years.

[williesgirl]

1. This is great is he a Dem?

[Omaha Steve]

2. Big D beside his name!

I hope he wins.

[davsand]

3. Blag is not terribly popular with all the Union folks.

He's peeved AFSCME and several of the Building Trades guys (Laborers, especially, I might add) in his first term. Rank and file support for him is not as strong for him as it could have been (and WAS four years ago.) He has been endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO along with several internationals, so he's not been completely abandoned by Labor, I guess.

Blag is a mixed bag, but I'll say straight out that he's a whole lot better than Judy Barr Topinka--his opposition. He's been great on medical issues, Choice, and medical coverage/access to health care for kids here in Illinois, and you just can't fault the man for that.

This most recent work on minimum wages is a good move for him right now.

I'm with you, Steve, I'm hoping Blag gets re-elected.

Regards!


Laura