Greenwood Overrides Governor’s Veto on Equal Pay Measure

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Seeking to shrink the wage gap between men and women, state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, voted Wednesday to override the governor’s veto of a measure that will prevent potential employers from asking applicants what their previous wage history was.

“This proposal will hold employers accountable and ensure women aren’t discriminated against in the workforce,” Greenwood said. “Even as women continue to make gains and break barriers in the workforce, we must continue to look at ways to close the wage gap between men and women.”

Greenwood’s House Bill 2462 makes it illegal for an employer to require potential employees to reveal their past wage or salary history during the job application process. The goal of his legislation is to address the fact that women and minorities have historically been paid less, and to ensure that applicants are treated fairly. Massachusetts and the City of Philadelphia recently enacted similar legislation.

“Fair pay should not be a political issue; it should be a common sense issue supported by all lawmakers,” Greenwood said. “I commend my colleagues on both side of the aisle for their support of this important piece of legislation, and I look forward to this measure becoming law.”

The veto override of House Bill 2462 received bipartisan support in the House, and now awaits consideration in the Senate.