Chicago minimum wage task force to engage public

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's task force on a higher minimum wage for Chicago has announced the first of several public meetings.

The Minimum Wage Working Group includes community, labor and business leaders. Its first public hearing is Monday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Kennedy-King College. Other hearings will be announced in coming days.

The group is also announcing a website to serve as an additional public forum. Its recommendations are due in July.

Co-Chair and Alderman Will Burns says raising minimum pay above the state's current level of $8.25 would have a "game-changing impact for thousands of working families."

Campaigners have been calling for a $15 minimum wage, and members of the City Council last week introduced an ordinance to phase in an increase to $15.