CHICAGO (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn is making his push to increase Illinois’ minimum wage by shopping at a Gap clothing store in downtown Chicago.
The chain has instituted a policy of paying entry-level employees a higher minimum wage.
Quinn bought three sweaters for his young nieces on Thursday. The total was about $77 and he paid cash. Quinn called the store an example and added that he got quality clothes at a good price.
Raising the minimum wage is a major campaign theme in Quinn’s re-election bid against Republican Bruce Rauner (ROW’-nur).
Illinois’ rate is $8.25, which is $1 more than the federal wage. Quinn wants Illinois’ rate to be at least $10 by year’s end.
On Thursday, a Senate committee approved a plan to raise it to $10.65 over three years.
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