CHICAGO – In an effort to reduce the wage gap between men and women, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, is supporting legislation that aims to reduce pay discrimination against women by barring employers from forcing job applicants to reveal their wage or salary history.
“Men and women who perform similar jobs with similar experience should be compensated equally for their work,” D’Amico said. “Corporations and businesses that discriminate based on gender need to be held accountable for their actions.”
D’Amico is supporting House Bill 834, which prohibits employers from forcing women into a lifetime of lower pay by requiring applicants to submit their salary history and cracks down on corporations that pay equally-qualified women less than men for performing the same work. Historically, women have earned 79 percent of the wages relative to their male counterparts.
D’Amico fought for similar legislation in the past, leading an effort to put a bipartisan proposal on the governor’s desk. But instead of standing up for Illinois women, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner chose to protect corporations that discriminate against women.
“This measure will not only reduce discrimination, but it will help grow our economy,” D’Amico said. “This bill will raise the wages of women throughout Illinois and put more money into the pockets of families.”
