Missouri, Illinois to increase minimum wage

The state minimum wage in Illinois will increase to $8 an hour July 1.
The 25-cent increase will be followed by another 25-cent hike in July 2010.
The federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour will go to $7.25 on July 24.
Missouri’s state minimum wage is $7.05 now, but also will rise to $7.25 on July 24.