Minimum-wage workers in Illinois are receiving a 25-cent hourly boost in pay, to $7.75 per hour. State officials say the increase will mean $520 more per year for 650,000 workers. It is the second in a four-step hike in wages adopted by the General Assembly and Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2006. The final steps increase the wage to $8 next July and $8.25 in July of 2010. The pay rate is nearly $2 higher than the federal standard. That standard will increase from $5.85 to $6.55 on July 24 and $7.25 next July. Workers not receiving the wage or who have questions should call the Illinois Department of Labor at (800) 478-3998.