Emanuel Wants State To Act Before Raising Chicago Minimum Wage To $13 an Hour

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Emanuel says he's committed to raising the minimum wage in Chicago to $13 an hour regardless of what happens at the state and federal levels, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

Mayor Emanuel says people in Chicago should make at least $13 an hour and he would like to see a statewide increase in the minimum wage, but he acknowledges efforts in Springfield only envision a hike from the current $8.25 an hour to about $10 an hour.

"Step one: get the state of Illinois to do it. Ideally, United States Congress would act, but I am not holding my breath and my recommendation from a medical standpoint, nor should you," Emanuel said. "Illinois should do it, and when Illinois does it we are going to take the steps necessary to get us to the $13 here in the city of Chicago because it is relevant to making sure that work pays and making sure people can afford to live in the city of Chicago."

An Emanuel-appointed taskforce recommended a gradual increase to $13. Some aldermen want a push to $15.