The national minimum wage standard is set to increase from $6.55/hour to $7.25/hour on July 24. But Illinois workers who earn minimum wage will see a larger increase sooner than that. State laws have the state minimum wage set to hit $8.00/hour starting tomorrow. It's the second step up in a three-step process that concludes next July when the state minimum wage will reach $8.25/hour. [Sun-Times] more ›