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Panel says Chicago minimum wage should be $13

A task force formed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel has recommended Chicago raise its minimum wage to $13 an hour.

The panel says higher rates should be phased in over four years and will increase earnings for about 410,000 people. That's 31 percent of Chicago workers. The group estimates the change would inject nearly $800 million into Chicago's economy.

Illinois' minimum wage is $8.25 an hour, which is $1 more than the federal rate. Democrats in Illinois and nationwide are pushing to increase the wage.

However, legislative attempts to increase Illinois' rate were unsuccessful this year.

Gov. Pat Quinn approved a non-binding Nov. 4 ballot question that'll ask voters if it should be $10 an hour. He says the results will give him backing to push for it again in January.

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