Walsh-Sponsored Measure to Eliminate Wage Gap Passes General Assembly

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Joliet, to end wage discrimination by requiring businesses to pay employees with similar work experience equally regardless of gender recently passed the General Assembly.

“Women still face wage discrimination in the workplace and it’s important we take steps to end this practice,” Walsh said. “This measure ensures female employees who do the same job and have the same work experience are paid equally to their male coworkers.”

Walsh’s House Bill 2462 prohibits employers from paying different salaries to employees who do the same job and have the same experience. His measure also makes it illegal for an employer to require potential employees to reveal their past wage or salary during the job application process. The goal of Walsh’s legislation is to address the fact that women and minorities have historically been paid less. Massachusetts and the City of Philadelphia recently enacted similar legislation.

“Ending wage discrimination is not just the right thing to do, but it can also provide a tremendous boost to our economy,” Walsh said. “Putting money into the pockets of female-led families and single-parent households would lift countless families out of poverty and lead to increased spending at local businesses.”