JOLIET, Ill. – In a continued effort to close the gender wage gap, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, recently supported an override motion of Gov. Rauner’s veto of a proposal to prevent employers from using wage history to unfairly determine an applicant’s salary.

“Even though there has been attempts to close the wage gap, efforts up to this point have not been fully effective,” Manley said. “This legislation provides another avenue to ensure that people are paid on their abilities and responsibilities by removing any biases that might have been included in their past salary.”

Historically, women and minorities have received smaller paychecks even when they complete the same work and have the same responsibilities as other employees. One way this discrimination has continued is by employers using an applicant’s past history against them, instead of making salary decisions based on experience, qualifications, past performance and responsibilities. The Manley-backed House Bill 2462 prohibits employers from asking job applicants for their past salary.

The measure passed the House with bipartisan support and is now under consideration in the Senate.

“I’m disappointed that Gov. Rauner vetoed a common-sense bill that would ensure that employees are paid on their merits,” Manley said. “However, by overriding his veto, Democrats and Republicans showed once again that they are ready and willing to work together to address issues facing the people of Illinois. I hope the governor will join us in these efforts.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To end the pay discrepancies between men and women in Illinois, state Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, joined a bipartisan effort to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of an equal pay bill.

“The governor’s decision to veto this legislation shows he is not interested in progressing equal pay and treatment of women,” said Lilly. “Women work just as hard as men and deserve to be compensated accordingly, and should not be discriminated against simply because they are women. I worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that women receive the same pay as their male counterparts.”

Lilly voted to override House Bill 2462, which requires employers to pay women the same as equally qualified men performing the same job. Lilly’s legislation prevents employers from asking job seekers about their previous wage earnings, a practice that has historically locked women into lower pay categories. Her measure also bars companies from requiring employees to sign contracts that would prevent them from discussing their salary. Lilly stands committed to fight for equal pay for women who have historically faced discrimination in the workplace.

“It is unacceptable that, in the year 2017, an African-American woman who works full-time makes about 63 cents for every dollar earned by a man,” Lilly said. “When a woman is making substantially less than her male counterpart, she is put at a financial disadvantage that prevents her from providing the same opportunities for her family. I will continue to fight on behalf of women to ensure they have the necessary tools needed to be successful.”

Lilly represents the 78th District, which includes parts of Chicago, Oak Park, Elmwood Park, River Grove, Franklin Park, and Melrose Park.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has shown that women in the State of Illinois earn mere fraction of what their male counterparts earn for the same occupations. With Republican Governor Bruce Rauner recently vetoing a measure that would help close the pay gap for women and minorities, state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, and the Illinois House of Representatives passed the measure out of the House on Wednesday, overriding the veto.

“Every day women in our state and in the United States as a whole earn less than men are paid,” said Mah. “We have to move mindsets and ways of thinking to the 21^st Century and show people everywhere that when people work hard, they deserve fair pay regardless of their gender, racial background or any other factors.”

Mah is a co-sponsor of House Bill 2462, a measure that would make it illegal for an employer to screen job applicants based on their previous wages or mandate that an applicant meet a certain income requirement to be considered for employment, while also banning employers from requiring applicants to disclose wage history. This issue has been one that has drawn attention to wage equality nation-wide, with the United States Department of Labor noting that women in Illinois make an average of 79.2 percent of the median income of their male counterparts.

“This commonsense measure takes an important step toward leveling the playing field and makes it so job providers aren’t given a way out of paying hard working people a fair wage,” said Mah. “I am extremely excited that my colleagues in the House chose to stand with me and with women and underpaid groups all across our state.”

The Governor’s veto of House Bill 2462 was overturned on a vote of 80-33 in the House on Wednesday. It is expected to be heard next in the Illinois State Senate.

Mah represents the 2nd Legislative District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods of Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport, Brighton Park and Back of the Yards. For more information please contact Rep. Mah’s district office at 872-281-5775 or rep.theresamah@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, joined Democratic and Republican legislators in the Illinois House to override Governor Rauner’s veto of an equal pay bill that is aimed at ending pay discrepancies between men and women in Illinois.

“The governor’s veto was reckless, and now he stands on the wrong side of history,” said Harper. “I worked with House Democrats and Republicans to prove to Rauner that women do not deserve to be unfairly paid for who they are, rather on their character and merits in the workplace.”

Harper supported the override of House Bill 2462, which seeks to modernize state law that requiring employers to pay women the same as equally qualified men performing the same job. Harper’s legislation prevents employers from asking job seekers about their previous wage earnings, a practice that has historically locked women into lower pay categories. Her measure also bars companies from requiring employees to sign contracts that would prevent them from discussing their salary. The override garnered bipartisan support, and now moves to the Illinois Senate.

“Overriding the governor was the right thing to do and sends a message to the hard working women in Illinois that they deserve the exact same pay as the men they work with,” said Harper. “This is especially helpful to women of color who earn even less than other women they work with.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Buffalo Grove, voted on Wednesday to help close the chronic pay gap women suffer in the workplace.

“Today was a step in the right direction towards ensuring women earn equal pay for equal work,” Carroll said. “I want my daughter to grow up in a country where she can expect to get paid the same as her male counterparts.”

The Carroll-backed House Bill 2462 prohibits employers from paying women less when they do the same job and have the same experience. The measure also makes it illegal for an employer to require potential applicants to reveal their salary history during the job application process, which often locks women into a lifetime of lower pay. Both Massachusetts and Philadelphia recently passed similar equal pay legislation.

“Too many people believe pay discrimination hurts women alone,” Carroll continued. “But the fact that women earn 79 percent relative to men does not just hurt women – it hurts men, families, small businesses and every other part of our local economy.”

JOLIET Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is calling on Gov. Rauner to sign legislation that would end pay discrimination by preventing employers from inquiring about a person’s past wages.

“For far too long women and minorities have been paid far below their male counterparts,” Manley said. “This makes it more difficult for parents, especially single, working mothers, care for their families. This legislation will help close the wage gap ensuring everyone is paid the same based on their qualifications and duties.”

Historically, women and minorities have received smaller paychecks even when they complete the same work and have the same responsibilities as other employees. One way that this wage discrimination continues is by allowing employers to learn what an employee has earned in the past and make salary decisions based on that fact, rather on their work history, qualifications, past performance and responsibilities. Manley is sponsoring House Bill 2462, which prevents employers from asking employees about their wage history, to protect people from unfair discrimination.

“This legislation is a simple way to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender or race, is treated equally in the workplace,” Manley said. “By increasing wages, we can help build a stronger middle-class that will help move the state forward. It’s 2017, and it is ridiculous that we continue to ask for equal pay. I urge the governor to support this legislation that will help working families across the state.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign legislation cracking down on wage discrimination by requiring employers to pay the same wage to workers who have the same experience and do the same job.

“The measure that we passed takes a strong step toward protecting the rights of women and ensuring that women are being paid equally for equal work,” Hoffman said. “If businesses are making discriminatory payroll decisions, they need to be held accountable.”

“Illinois has the opportunity to take a stand for the rights of women and ensure female employees are paid fairly,” Burke said. “Wage discrimination is an issue that affects all of society, because it prevents many from reaching the middle class.”

House Bill 2462 prohibits employers from paying different salaries to employees who do the same job and have the same experience. Hoffmans’s 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 her legislation is to address the fact that women have historically been paid less. Massachusetts and the City of Philadelphia recently enacted similar legislation.

House Bill 2462 passed the General Assembly and now awaits final approval by Governor Rauner.

“This proposal is not only the right thing to do morally, but it will also help boost our economy by making it easier for women across the state to enter the middle-class,” Hoffman said, “I urge the governor to stand up for equal pay and for women across the state by signing this measure into law.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign legislation cracking down on wage discrimination by requiring employers to pay the same wage to workers who have the same experience and do the same job.

“Illinois has the opportunity to take a stand for the rights of women and ensure female employees are paid fairly,” Burke said. “Wage discrimination is an issue that affects all of society, because it prevents many from reaching the middle class.”

House Bill 2462 prohibits employers from paying different salaries to employees who do the same job and have the same experience. Burke’s 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 her legislation is to address the fact that women have historically been paid less. Massachusetts and the City of Philadelphia recently enacted similar legislation.

House Bill 2462 passed the General Assembly and now awaits final approval by Rauner.

“Women who have the same experience and do the same job deserve the same pay,” Burke said. “I am urging the governor to do the right thing and sign this measure into law, so all women can be protected in the workplace.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Joliet, is fighting to end wage discrimination by passing a package of measures requiring employers to pay the same wage to workers who have the same experience and do the same job.

“I believe that a person should be paid an equal wage for equal work,” Walsh said. “Unfortunately, women are still paid less than men and, showing that we have a duty to take further steps to end wage discrimination.”

Walsh passed House Bill 2462, which prohibits employers from paying different salaries to employees who do the same job and have the same experience. His 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 his legislation is to address the fact that women and minorities have historically been paid less. Massachusetts and the City of Philadelphia recently enacted similar legislation.

Walsh also helped pass House Bill 3539, which requires businesses to demonstrate they employ fair pay practices in order to receive state contracts. His measure authorizes the Department of Employment Security to issue equal pay certificates to certify compliance with state and federal equal pay laws. State contractors would be required to have this certificate.

“Closing the pay gap would provide many single-parent families with additional income to help save for retirement, invest in their children’s education, and reinvest in the community by shopping at local businesses,” Walsh said. “These measures will create a fairer way for women to receive equal pay for their work.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, is fighting to end wage discrimination by passing legislation requiring employers to pay the same wage to workers who have the same experience and do the same job.

“Women have historically faced wage discrimination in the workplace, which has resulted in many families being unable to escape poverty,” Jones said. “Women of color have been especially impacted by the wage gap, even being paid on average less than women of other races.”

Jones’s House Bill 2462 prohibits employers from paying different salaries to employees who do the same job and have the same experience. His 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 his legislation is to address the fact that women and minorities have historically been paid less. Massachusetts and the City of Philadelphia recently enacted similar legislation.

“This year, women will be paid on average 79 cents for every dollar earned by a man and black women will on average only be paid 65 cents for every dollar earned by a white man,” Jones said. “The protections in this bill will help female and minority workers in Illinois by closing the wage gap and putting more money in the pockets of working families.”