Recent news has focused on the hardships of individuals who work at minimum wage jobs. The current minimum wage in Illinois is $8.25 per hour, $1 more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Proposals in the state legislature call for increasing the minimum wage to $11 an hour, although we do not expect action before the current General Assembly ends in January.
Our Illinois bishops have approved a statement on a "living wage," which can be viewed here.