The Case for a $15 Minimum Wage for Illinois The Illinois legislature is considering a measure that would gradually raise Illinois’ minimum wage from its current $8.25 an hour up to $15 an hour by 2022. Analysis of the latest available data shows that, not just in the Chicago area but across the state, single workers without children will soon need $15 an hour or more just to cover the basics – and workers with families will need even more. The typical worker earning less than $15 an hour is an adult over 25 who works full time, but still cannot make ends meet. A $15 minimum wage would deliver a large raise for nearly 1 in 4 workers in Illiniois. The economic evidence from other states shows that, if phased in gradually, a $15 minimum wage would be manageable for employers, while delivering broad benefits for Illiniois’ workforce.
