PLAINFIELD – Illinois workers will soon have protections in place to help ensure they receive equal pay for equal work.

Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is a chief cosponsor on House Bill 834, which addresses the salary gap in Illinois by prohibiting employers from requiring job applicants to disclose their past salary during the interview process. The measure was signed into law on Wednesday.

The legislation amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003 to include language banning salary history questions during the hiring process.

“In 2019, a worker should not receive a different wage based on any factor not directly related to their qualifications, experience and job performance,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “This new law renews the state’s commitment to policies that promote and ensure pay equity for all of our workers.”

Bertino-Tarrant worked with the sponsor to make the measure more business-friendly. The law will go into effect 60 days after it was signed into law.

The measure was supported by a number of groups, including the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, National Association of Social Workers, Laborer’s International Union and the Illinois National Organization for Women.

Women in Illinois make up almost half the workforce but earn 79 percent of what men earn.

“As other states appear to be moving backward on equal rights, Illinois will continue to move forward to ensure employees are receiving the same pay for the same work,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “This new law will help Illinois end the wage gap.”

The new law goes into effect in 60 days.