A study by an Illinois nonprofit organization says that the state’s minimum wage raise, would help out some residents out of poverty and increase economic activity. Reports show that the Illinois Economic Policy Institute examined what would happen if the state raises their minimum wage from $8.25, to $10, $13 or $15 an hour. The study found that the increases would affect between 353,000 and 1.4-million employees. The raise would grow the economy by between $5-billion and $19-billion a year. Critics of raising minimum wage say that it would cause low-income employees to lose their jobs or give out fewer hours. Lawmakers last year approved a bill, that would gradually raise Indiana’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. Governor Bruce Rauner had a similar measure sent to him, which he vetoed. The study was done in collaboration with the University of Illinois’ Project for Middle Class Renewal.