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Senate Passes Minimum Wage Hike, House Adjourns

Illinois State Capitol
Illinois Public Radio

The Illinois Senate has passed legislation that would raise the state's minimum wage.

The bill passed the Senate by a 39-18 vote, which came after Speaker Michael Madigan adjourned the House on Wednesday.

Sponsored by Democratic State Sen. Kimberly Lightford of Maywood, the legislation would by 2019 increase Illinois' minimum wage to $11 an hour for workers 18 and older. The bill won't impact Chicago's decision to raise its wage to $13 by 2019.

Despite the Senate's action, Madigan says he won't call lawmakers back before a new governor is seated. Gov. Pat Quinn can call the House back for a special session, but he hasn't said he would do so.

Lightford says senators did ``the right thing'' in passing her bill.

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