Didech Backs Legislation Promoting Equal Pay for Equal Work for Women

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. – In an effort to continue closing the gender pay gap in the workplace, state Rep. Dan Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is supporting legislation that will advance equal pay for equal work in Illinois.

“We need to make sure women in Illinois have every tool available to combat wage discrimination,” Didech said. “Even today, women are still making less than their male counterparts in the workplace, and that gap often follows them throughout their entire careers. It’s time to say ‘enough is enough’ and make equal pay for equal work the law.”

Didech is a co-sponsor of House Bill 834, which ensures that employers cannot screen job applicants based on salary history or ask about salary history as part of the interview process. Since women often experience lower starting salaries, it is common for employers to use their pay history as the basis for gender-based pay discrimination. By preventing companies from requiring an applications wage history, Didech hopes to level the playing field for women in the workplace.

 “The wage gap continues to grow as women are promoted or advance in their careers, but their pay doesn’t increase at the same rate as men,” Didech said. “This legislation is an important step toward ensuring equal treatment for women in the workplace.”