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.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, to end wage discrimination by requiring employers to pay the same wage to workers who have the same experience and do the same job recently passed the House.

“Women have historically made less than men and it’s time to take steps to right this injustice,” Burke said. “Wage discrimination affects all of our society, by driving down income for women and preventing female-led households from escaping poverty.”

Burke’s 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.

“Closing the wage gap will not only benefit women and their families, but will have economic benefits for Illinois businesses by putting more money in the pockets of consumers,” Burke said. “Our state must take the lead when it comes to fighting for the rights of women and this bill is another way we can accomplish this important goal.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to reduce the gender wage-gap, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, voted to pass legislation that aims to end pay discrimination against women.

“As a father of two daughters, I believe that they should have the same professional opportunities that will be afforded to their male peers,” D’Amico said. “No business should be permitted to make discriminatory payroll decisions based on gender.”

D’Amico is sponsoring and voted to pass House Bill 2462, which would forbid employers from paying employees with equal experience and in identical roles, different wages. Among other things, the bill would make it harder for employers to ask job applicants about their pay history during the application process.

The Census Bureau, which tracks annual wages, found women who worked full-time, year-round in 2016 made 79 cents for every dollar men earned across the country. The goal of his legislation is to address the fact that women have historically been paid less. Massachusetts recently enacted similar legislation.

“Equal pay for equal work is not only the right thing to do, but it also will help to grow our state’s economy by raising the wages of countless women throughout the state and put more dollars into the pockets of consumers,” D’Amico said. “More progress is needed to ensure equality between men and women, but this proposal is certainly a step in the right direction.”