We promised to update readers on the outcome of Bloomington's living wage referendum and we have good news to report. At the polls yesterday, about 65 percent of voters approved the advisory measure, which recommends that the City of Bloomington pay its workers a “living wage” of $9.81 an hour.

Because it's a non-binding measure, the council is not required to take any action as a result. In fact, they rejected a proposed living wage ordinance back in 2004. But organizers told the Pantagraph they will put pressure on their legislators to follow through on the mandate. "There is a lot of work to be done to implement the living wage," said Jean Pretz, of the Central Illinois Organizing Project, "and we look forward to working with the city council to implement the voters’ will.”