Kifowit Votes to Override Governor Rauner’s Veto of Pay Equity Measure

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, joined a bipartisan effort to s Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation designed to crack down on wage discrimination. The measure Kifowit voted to enact over the governor veto will require businesses to pay employees with similar work experience equally regardless of gender.

“Women have historically faced wage discrimination in the workplace and this has had a huge impact on our society,” Kifowit said. “Many women and their families being shortchanged for their work because of this discrimination, and it’s important that we finally take steps to right these injustices so women going forward can be paid fairly.”

According to the United States Census Bureau, which tracks annual wages, women who worked full-time, year-round in 2016 made 79 cents for every dollar men earned across the country. This comparison includes all male and female workers regardless of occupation.

Kifowit co-sponsored House Bill 2462 which prohibits employers from paying different salaries to employees who do the same job and have the same experience. Her measure also makes it illegal for an employer to lock women into a lifetime of lower pay by requiring potential employees to reveal their past wage or salary during the job application process. The goal of Kifowit’s legislation is to address the fact that women and minorities have historically been paid less.

While Rauner vetoed this commonsense reform, Kifowit voted with Republicans and Democrats to override the veto. The bill now goes to the Senate where an override vote will enact the legislation.

“I am disappointed Governor Rauner chose to put the interests of his business friends above the interests of hard-working women,” Kifowit said. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner and send a loud message that women deserve be treated equally and paid an honest wage.”