Willis Applauds New Equal Pay Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Kathy Willis, D-Northlake, is highlighting a new equal pay law that will end the cycle of unfair pay for women and help eliminate the wage gap. The measure was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“Building a stronger Illinois means that everyone is paid fairly for the work that they perform, regardless of their gender,” Willis said. “For too long, employers have exploited women’s past salary history as a means to lock them into a cycle of unfair and unequal pay. The new law I supported bans this discriminatory practice and establishes new penalties on businesses who are caught engaging in that behavior.”  

House Bill 834 will more strictly prevent employers from asking potential employees about their salary history, which has been a discriminatory practice used against women to justify paying them less for the same job their male colleagues perform. Banning corporations and employers from engaging in this practice will begin to break the cycle of unfair pay for women. The measure received bipartisan support in the House and the Senate, and was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“This is a step in the right direction for pay equality, but all women still face obstacles to be compensated and treated fairly among their male colleagues,” Willis said. “I thank Governor Pritzker for signing this critical legislation into law, which will help countless women earn they money they deserve and start eliminating the wage gap.”