The Illinois will increase its minimum wage from $7.75 per hour to $8.00 per hour on July 1, 2009. This new rate puts Illinois in the fourth state for highest minimum wage, with California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
Washington’s minimum wage, $8.55 per hour is the nation’s highest minimum wage. The second highest minimum wage appears in Oregon, $8.40 per hour. In Vermont, the minimum wage is $8.06 per hour. All the three states have annual cost-of-living increases. Illinois doesn’t have t this increase.
Minimum wage increases come on July 1of this year in Illinois, while the federal rate increases to $7.25 per hour this year. In 2010, the Illinois rate goes up another 25 cents an hour, to $8.25 per hour.
The Illinois Department of Labor has estimated that about 650,000 workers will benefit from the increase in the minimum wage.
Illinois’ minimum wage increases have garnered the praise of Beatrice Jackson, President of ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). “For thousands of working families who live on the brink of poverty, the increase in Illinois’ minimum wage will help workers afford basic necessities that so many of us take for granted, like food, clothing, housing and education,” she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment