Kalish Joins Effort to Fight for Equal Pay

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, is backing an effort to fight wage discrimination by sponsoring legislation that prohibits employers from using unfair practices that force women and minorities into a lifetime of lower pay.

“Women who are doing the same work as men deserve to be paid at the same rate, unfortunately injustices of the past have prevented that from happening,” Kalish said. “By prohibiting businesses from inquiring about previous pay, we can help reduce the role that historic wage discrimination plays moving forward.”    

Kalish is sponsoring House Bill 834, which amends Illinois’ Equal Pay Act to bar employers from requiring jobs applicants to submit a salary history. Given wage discrimination based on gender and race that occurred in the past, Kalish believes the measure will prevent low salaries from following women and minorities from job to job. Former Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed identical legislation last summer, and Kalish is hopeful that it can now become law.  

“Making sure that men and women are paid equally for equal work shouldn’t be a partisan issue, it’s about doing what is right,” Kalish said. “With the new administration we have an opportunity and obligation to making equal pay for equal work a reality.”

Rep. Kalish was recently sworn in as state Representative of the 16th District, which includes portions of Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Chicago. For more information, please contact Kalish’s district office at 847-673-1131.