Canty Measure to Promote Salary Transparency, Equal Pay Signed into Law

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — A measure spearheaded by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, that promotes equal pay by requiring employers with 15 or more employees to include the pay scale in job postings, was signed into law on Friday.

“It’s past time we relegate unequal pay practices to times past, and this law brings us much closer to making that goal a reality,” Canty said. “Too many generations of workers, especially women, have fought for equal pay and been stymied by employers unwilling to clarify salaries. That ends now. When our kids begin their careers, there will be absolute clarity about pay scale.”

To ensure prospective employees have access to all information on their potential earnings and benefits when determining if they should accept a job, this initiative would require employers with 15 or more employees to publicly post the wage or salary and description of benefits offered for a job, promotion, transfer or other employment opportunity. It also requires employers to provide employees their current wage or salary range along with a general description of benefits upon that employee’s hiring, promotion or transfer, upon the employee’s request.

If an employer does not comply with the act, the Department of Labor would be allowed to conduct its own investigations or file complaints. Any individual who has been aggrieved by their employer’s violation of the wage and salary provisions of the act would also be able to file a complaint with the Department within one year after the date the individual learned of the violation.

“While women have historically been the chief targets of pay inequality, this measure represents progress for all workers,” Canty said. “Simply put, a more transparent workplace is a fairer workplace.”