Kankakee Times

Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst (R-Kankakee) was happy to cast her "yes" vote along with 91 other House members on Wednesday to support more guarantees that women will receive equal pay.

House Bill 2462, which is now under consideration in the Senate, builds upon protections in the Illinois Equal Pay Act, enacted in 2003.

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

HB2462 would prevent employers from asking others employers about a candidate's current or past salaries, which could be used as a base for a new salary, regardless of the actual value of the new position. It also would force businesses that show gender disparities on their payrolls to justify the difference.

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

Twenty-four House members voted against the measure.