IL SJR0061

Designates April 28, 2009 as Pay Equity Day in Illinois to raise awareness about gender wage inequality

Acknowledges that women earn approximately 78 cents for every dollar earned by men

Notes that the gender pay gap begins within one year after college graduation and has long-term effects on women's retirement savings, Social Security benefits, and ability to fund children's education

Recognizes that Equal Pay Day was created by the National Committee on Pay Equity in 1996 as a public awareness event symbolizing how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year

Affirms that pay equity is essential to poverty eradication and maintaining a motivated workforce