Hoffman Urges Governor to Sign Proposal Aimed At Reducing Wage Gap

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign legislation cracking down on wage discrimination by requiring employers to pay the same wage to workers who have the same experience and do the same job.

“The measure that we passed takes a strong step toward protecting the rights of women and ensuring that women are being paid equally for equal work,” Hoffman said. “If businesses are making discriminatory payroll decisions, they need to be held accountable.”

“Illinois has the opportunity to take a stand for the rights of women and ensure female employees are paid fairly,” Burke said. “Wage discrimination is an issue that affects all of society, because it prevents many from reaching the middle class.”

House Bill 2462 prohibits employers from paying different salaries to employees who do the same job and have the same experience. Hoffmans’s 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 her legislation is to address the fact that women have historically been paid less. Massachusetts and the City of Philadelphia recently enacted similar legislation.

House Bill 2462 passed the General Assembly and now awaits final approval by Governor Rauner.

“This proposal is not only the right thing to do morally, but it will also help boost our economy by making it easier for women across the state to enter the middle-class,” Hoffman said, “I urge the governor to stand up for equal pay and for women across the state by signing this measure into law.”