Supporters Of Minimum Wage Referendum Making Major Push
(CBS) -- Supporters of a non-binding referendum to raise the state's minimum wage are making a major push in the next two weeks, reports WBBM's Nancy Harty.
Early voting starts Monday and backers of a plan to raise the minimum wage in Illinois from $8.25 to $10 are hoping like-minded people come out to vote and say "Yes."
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"There is an unprecedented amount of resources going into educating families in Illinois about this referendum," said Patrick Brosnan with the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, which is part of the Raise Illinois Coalition.
The coalition says it has found 320,000 supporters. However, the referendum is non-binding, so Brosnan says he and other organizers hope to use the vote totals to persuade lawmakers to raise the minimum wage in the fall veto session.
In addition to the minimum wage referendum, the ballot will also feature a question asking voters if insurance companies should cover birth control?
CBS 2;s Jeremy Ross reports Illinois is one of at least 26 states with laws already requiring that to happen, but supporters say overall approval by voters could help ensure that stays in place.
Republicans say, since it's already law, this is a ploy by the Democrats to boost democratic support and candidates at the poles.
