Halpin Passes Measure Aimed at Closing Wage Gap through Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Aiming to reduce or eliminate the gender pay gap, state Rep. Mike Halpin, advanced out of committee Wednesday a measure that would require state contractors to demonstrate they employ fair pay practices.

“This legislation is an opportunity for us to modernize our fair pay policies, simply by requiring their compliance with existing state and federal laws,” said Halpin. “This bill will ensure pay equity for women who are performing equal work to their male counterparts, something I hope we will soon not have to work to ensure.”

Introduced by Halpin, House Bill 3539 will authorize the Department of Employment Security to issue equal pay certificates to certify compliance with state and federal equal pay laws. If passed into law, state contractors will need to apply for a certificate, and within 15 days of applying the certificates will be issued or rejected by the Department of Employment Security. House Bill 3539 passed out of the State Government Administration Committee, and now moves to the House Floor for consideration.

For more information, please contact Halpin’s constituent service office at RepHalpin@gmail.com or at 309-558-3612.