Emanuel hopes Illinois follows Chicago and increases minimum wage

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he hopes the city council's approval of a $13 minimum wage for the city will "jolt" state lawmakers into raising the issue statewide.

The Democrat spoke Tuesday after aldermen overwhelmingly approved raising the city's wage by 2019. Emanuel says a higher Chicago rate and voters' strong support of a nonbinding ballot measure in November should lay ground work for a higher Illinois rate.

State legislators are considering an increase to $11 by 2017 from the state's current $8.25. They're gathered in Springfield this week for a veto session.

Emanuel says he moved up the date of Tuesday's meeting over fears state lawmakers could block Chicago's attempt. He says the city has to keep up with the cost of living and no working family should live in poverty.