Halpin Stands Up Against Wage Discrimination, Votes to Override Gov. Rauner Veto of Pay Equity Measure

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Joining a bipartisan group of lawmakers Wednesday, state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, voted to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of legislation designed to end wage discrimination by requiring businesses to pay employees with similar work experience equally regardless of their gender.

“I want my daughter to grow up in a state and country where her contributions to the workplace are valued just as equally as those of her male coworkers,” Halpin said. “That is why I voted to override the governor’s veto of legislation to ensure that businesses do not discriminate against women by paying them lower wages to perform the same work as men.”

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

“All employees should be paid based on their qualifications and their performance in the workplace, not their past earnings,” Halpin said. “By prohibiting employers from using salary history to set wages for new hires, we are a step closer to ending wage discrimination and building a stronger middle class in Illinois.”

For more information, please contact Halpin’s full-time constituent service office at 309-558-3612 or at rephalpin@gmail.com.