Illinois Equal Pay Act

While the Illinois Equal Pay Act has long prohibited unequal pay for substantially similar work, major amendments effective September 29, 2019 barred employers from seeking salary history, and additional reforms effective March 23, 2021 introduced the Equal Pay Registration Certificate requirement, authorizing the Illinois Department of Labor to audit pay practices. Most recently, pay transparency requirements became effective January 1, 2025, requiring covered employers to disclose pay ranges and benefits in job postings and notify employees of promotional opportunities.  Under Illinois law, key pay transparency requirements include:

• Employers with 15 or more employees must disclose the pay scale or salary range in all job postings.
• Job postings must also include a general description of benefits and other compensation, such as bonuses or incentives.
• Employers must notify current employees of promotional opportunities within a reasonable time after the position is posted.
• The requirements apply to both internal and external postings, including roles that may be performed remotely if the position could be filled by an Illinois employee.
• Employers must maintain records of job postings, pay ranges, and related disclosures to demonstrate compliance.

These requirements are enforced by the Illinois Department of Labor and are intended to promote pay equity and informed employment decisions.