Legislation cosponsored by State Rep. Patti Bellock (R-IL) aims to strengthen the state’s commitment to ensuring equal pay for women in the workplace; expand the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 to cover all employers and create a two-tiered civil penalty system for violations has passed the House.
House Bill 3619 provides that an employer with fewer than four employees that violates the act is subject to penalties of $500 for a first offense, $2,500 for a second offense and $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense.
The bill also provides that an employer with four or more employees is subject to penalties of $2,500 for a first offense, $3,000 for a second offense and $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense.
“There is no question, together on a bipartisan basis we stand for the principle of equal pay for equal work,” Bellock said. "As the daughter and granddaughter of pioneering businesswomen, I am pleased to honor the legacy of all women trailblazers by supporting this bill. Illinois law is now clear and ensures pay equity for hardworking women in every industry across Illinois.”
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