Illinois' 97th General Assembly goes out of business on Jan. 8. Between now and then, it may tackle more divisive issues of moral consequence than any of its recent predecessors. The reform of the state's debt-ridden public employee pension system, the expansion of casino gambling, the legalization of same-sex marriage and the approval of medicinal marijuana are all in play. Yet, tragically, our legislators have deferred any debate about raising the state's minimum wage, an ethical controversy of no less importance.