Governors Quinn and O'Malley continue push to raise minimum wage

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn was joined by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley at a press conference to support raising the Illinois minimum wage to at least $10 per hour. O'Malley signed legislation to increase Maryland's minimum wage to $10.10 per hour earlier this year. Quinn completed a week-long challenge to live for one week on $79, the amount a full-time worker earns with the state's current $8.25, on Saturday.

"Taking the minimum wage challenge only gave me a small glimpse into the lives of those who live on so little," Quinn said. "They are making impossible choices every day. This is about dignity and decency - it's time to raise the minimum wage in Illinois."

According to Quinn, increasing the Illinois minimum wage to $10 an hour will mean workers in the state will make an extra $4,800 each year, and in turn much of that extra income will be spent at local business and provide a strong boost to the local economy.

In June, Quinn signed a law to place a referendum question on the Nov. 4 ballot that asks voters if the state's minimum wage should be raised.