Governors convene in DC winter meetings; Illinois Governor Pat Quinn determined to address minimum wage issue

February 22, 2014 (WASHINGTON)

The governors are covering a variety of topics, including the best practices in education and economic growth.

They're also discussing raising the minimum wage.

It's an issue Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is determined to address on a local and national level.

"We're going to listen to what Pope Francis said, we should have a society of inclusion, economic inclusion, nobody should be left out," Quinn said. "If you work hard, if you play by the rules, we should have a minimum wage that allows you to raise your family, your kids, and do it in a dignified way."

Sunday, Quinn will join Education Secretary Arne Duncan for a discussion on early childhood education.

Quinn's campaign also announced Saturday the Chicago Democrat has hired Illinois native Bill Hyers to serve as chief strategist.

Hyers most recently managed Bill de Blasio's successful campaign for mayor of New York. In 2012 he managed President Barack Obama's Pennsylvania campaign operation. He was Midwest director for Obama in 2008.

Quinn is seeking his second full term. He faces a lesser-known opponent, anti-violence activist Tio Hardiman of Hillside, in the March 18 primary.

In a statement, Quinn' campaign says he expects to announce additional senior campaign staff in coming weeks.

Four Republicans are seeking their party's nomination for governor: state Sens. Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard, businessman Bruce Rauner and state Treasurer Dan Rutherford.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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