The Illinois House of Representatives this week passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by State Representative Lindsay Parkhurst (R-Kankakee) to expand guarantees of equal pay.

“I am proud to co-sponsor this bill and other legislation to level the playing field for women in the workforce,” Rep. Parkhurst said.

In 2003, Illinois passed the Equal Pay Act, but women in Illinois still make significantly less than their male employee counterparts. House Bill 2462 adds further protections to existing law by prohibiting an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer and prohibits screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history. It also requires employees to justify gender pay disparity using legitimate business reasons.

“This legislation will help to ensure women are not paid less for doing the same job,” Rep. Parkhurst continued. “Gender should never be a factor in disparity of income.”

House Bill 2462 passed the House on a 92-24 vote. It will be sent to the Illinois Senate for consideration.

94.1 WGFA