BLOOMINGTON - An advisory referendum about paying city employees a "living wage" likely will be on the Nov. 4 ballot because Central Illinois Organizing Project filed a petition with the Bloomington Election Commission.

After a brief rally Monday afternoon at Withers Park, members of the organizing project marched to election commission offices at the nearby Government Center.

Unless a challenge is filed by Aug. 25, the following question will go before the voters: "Shall all employees and contracted workers of the city of Bloomington be paid a living wage of at least $9.58 an hour with an annual cost of living adjustment?"

However, putting the question on the ballot is no more than a public opinion poll, said Char Stanford, Bloomington Election Commission executive director.

"This is nonbinding, so it will not require the (Bloomington) City Council or any businesses to make any changes," Stanford said.

Greg Shaw from the organizing project said paying a "living wage" was necessary for city workers and for the overall benefit of the community because it would reduce a drain on its social services.

A living wage - defined as the pay rate that would allow a person working a 40-hour week to afford a one-bedroom apartment in the city - is about $9.58 an hour for the area. Minimum wage in the state is $7.75. per hour.

The organizing project has tried for several years to get the city and operators of the city-owned U.S. Cellular Coliseum to pay workers a wage that meets that guideline. Coliseum employees are paid a range from minimum wage to $14 an hour, said Coliseum officials.

Other city employees, including crossing guards, janitors and part-time seasonal workers. would be affected by the change.

Stanford said the 209 pages of signatures appear to meet the criteria for getting the referendum on the ballot. At least 1,500 signatures are required, and organizing project officials said they have 1,600 signatures.