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On September 11, 2025, Illinois Governor announced the signing of a new law that will increase the minimum wage in the state. The law, which was passed by the state legislature last month, will raise the minimum wage from $15 per hour to $17 per hour over the course of the next two years.The increase in the minimum wage comes after years of advocacy by labor groups and lawmakers who argued that the current minimum wage was not enough to support working families in Illinois. Supporters of the new law say that the raise in the minimum wage will help lift thousands of families out of poverty and provide much-needed relief to low-wage workers in the state.Governor praised the new law as a step towards creating a more equitable and just society in Illinois. He stated, "No one who works full-time should have to live in poverty. With this new law, we are ensuring that every worker in Illinois is able to earn a fair and living wage."The new law also includes provisions to provide additional support to small businesses that may struggle to meet the increased wage requirements. These provisions include tax incentives and grants to help offset the costs of the wage increase.In addition to raising the minimum wage, the new law also includes provisions to expand paid sick leave for workers in Illinois. Employers will now be required to provide up to five days of paid sick leave per year to their employees, ensuring that workers can take time off when they are sick without fear of losing income.Overall, the new law represents a major victory for labor groups and workers in Illinois who have long advocated for fair wages and better working conditions. The increase in the minimum wage and expanded paid sick leave are expected to have a significant impact on the lives of workers across the state.