SPRINGFIELD – A $350,000 partnership between the Illinois Department of Labor and Women Employed will help low-income women across the state learn about pay equity and transparency laws, drawing praise from the Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus.

“This partnership will uplift working women and create a support network in every community across Illinois,” said State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights), co-chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus. “I am proud of the work Women Employed are doing to tear down barriers to economic parity.”

The partnership is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Fostering Access, Rights and Education (FARE) grant program. Funds will be used to conduct outreach to working women who are paid low wages with an emphasis on women of color, distribute educational materials, connect working women with support services, and create an advocate training program to build localized support networks.

Women Employed is a Chicago-based non-profit organization devoted to improving the economic status of women and removing barriers to economic equity. More information about Women Employed is available at WomenEmployed.org.