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Quinn calls for $10 minimum wage

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, during his State of the State address Wednesday, proposed raising Illinois’ minimum wage from $8.25 to $10 an hour.

Quinn said nobody should work 40 hours a week and live in poverty.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association and Illinois Chamber of Commerce immediately opposed the idea.

The merchants association represents more than 23,000 stores. President David Vite says raising the state’s minimum wage would hurt employers and people looking for jobs.

The chamber said raising the minimum wage is “an untimely, ill-advised and outrageous proposal.”

In his speech, Quinn also:

Ÿ Proposed that Illinois lawmakers recuse themselves from taking a vote or other official action if there’s a conflict of interest. The proposal would also prevent lawmakers from representing a person or corporation where there’s a financial or personal conflict of interest.

Ÿ Issued an executive order designed to help military veterans get jobs. The order calls for state agencies to streamline the process for veterans applying for job licenses.

Ÿ Backed legalizing same-sex marriage. A Senate committee has approved legislation allowing same-sex marriage. Backers of the measure say a Senate vote could come as early Valentine’s Day.

Ÿ Called for online voter registration and open primary elections where voters don’t have to declare a political party before casting a ballot.

Ÿ Proposed an Illinois Manufacturing Lab in Chicago to allow companies to learn and use new tools and software.

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