ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - New minimum wage increases will take effect with the new year in both Illinois and Missouri.
Illinois is going up to $9.25 an hour on Jan. 1, 2020 and in Missouri it's going up to $9.45 an hour. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said, in February when he signed the law, that it's time to pay workers a living wage.
"It's been a long time coming. It's been nine long years since workers got a raise and even nine years ago that raise amounted to 25 cents," Pritzker said.
Illinois State Representative Will Guzzardi called the legislation historic when it was signed back in February.
"It is not only going to raise wages for 1.4 million Illinoisians, but it is also going to recognize the decency of a hard day's work," Guzzardi said. "That is somebody shows up to work and works hard, they deserve to earn a living that they can care for their families."
Illinois' minimum will go up a dollar an hour each year until it hits $15 an hour in 2025.