Quinn, Maryland governor tout higher minimum wage

Gov. Pat Quinn has received help from a fellow Democrat in Maryland as he continues to make the minimum wage a focus in his re-election campaign against Republican Bruce Rauner.

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley appeared Sunday with Quinn in Chicago. O’Malley touted legislation he signed this year that’ll eventually increase his state’s minimum wage to $10.10.

Quinn highlighted how he lived on $79 for this past week to draw attention to how minimum-wage workers can struggle on Illinois’ current $8.25 rate.

In a statement, Quinn says the experience gave him “a small glimpse” into those struggles. He wants the rate raised to at least $10.

Rauner’s position has shifted during his campaign. He now says he’d back an increase under certain circumstances, including if it came with business reforms.