SPRINGFIELD – With Democrats in total control of Illinois' three branches of state government, the leftist group "Women Employed" published their top priorities for Governor-Elect JB Pritzker to sign into law. In many cases, they seek the same legislation Republican Governor Bruce Rauner resisted over the past four years.
The group's list of demands – from a $15 per hour minimum wage statewide to support for DACA recipients – will weigh heavily on Illinois business owners already paying some of the nation's highest property taxes.
Women Employed expect to participate in enacting with a Democrat super majority in the Illinois House and Senate, and a Democrat in the Governor's Mansion the following:
- No Salary History — Twice, Illinois legislators have passed a bill to strengthen the Illinois Equal Pay Act by banning employers from asking job candidates for their salary history, but Governor Rauner vetoed the law both times. We will be working with Governor-elect on No Salary History, to ensure it is passed and signed into law during his first year in office.
- Paid Sick Time — Two years ago, we won paid sick time for working people in Chicago and Cook County. It’s time to expand that law statewide. We urge Governor-elect Pritzker to back a bill that would allow workers — no matter the size of their employers — to earn at least 40 hours of paid sick time per year to use for their own, or a family member’s, illness or medical appointment, for domestic or sexual violence, or for a public health emergency closure of a child’s school or care facility.
- One Fair Wage — We urge Governor-elect Pritzker to support increasing Illinois’ minimum wage from $8.25/hour to $15/hour for all workers, and eliminating the sub-minimum wage of $4.95/ hour for tipped workers, to ensure everyone in Illinois is entitled to the same minimum wage.
- Fair Scheduling — Too many working people — especially in low-paid industries — face unstable and unpredictable work schedules. When your hours change each week and you don’t know your schedule in advance, you can’t budget, plan child care, or get a second job. We recommend Governor-elect Pritzker support a measure requiring employers to provide fair notice of scheduling, as well as compensation if hours are cut or added at the last minute — for all hourly workers and lower-paid salaried workers.
- Paid Family and Medical Leave — Working people need paid leave to care for themselves and their families. We look forward to working with Governor-elect Pritzker to develop a partial wage replacement bill for at least 12 weeks of paid family or medical leave per year that would be funded through a payroll tax deduction.
- Close the Race Gap in Higher Education — Data shows that there is an achievement gap for women of color in higher education in the state of Illinois. We call on Governor-elect Pritzker to provide leadership for closing that gap and create the position of a Deputy Director for Racial Equity and Inclusion in higher education.
- Fully Fund the Monetary Award Program (MAP) — Low-income students in Illinois depend on MAP to be able to afford to get post-secondary degrees, and that is especially true for adult and working students. We’ll work with Governor-elect Pritzker to ensure MAP is fully funded by asking for $501 million for the FY20 budget.
- Support DACA and Undocumented Students — We urge Governor-elect Pritzker to back efforts to make DACA recipients and undocumented students eligible for state financial aid.
- Strengthen Protections Against Workplace Harassment — Legal protections must ensure that all work is safe work, create greater transparency and accountability, and secure fair pay and treatment for those whose economic vulnerability puts them at greater risk of harassment and violence. Governor-elect Pritzker can ensure that Illinois leads the way in protecting workers against sexual and all forms of harassment by advocating for protections such as an end to mandatory arbitration.
List from Women Employed's Website HERE.
