IL HR0092

Designates March 24, 2021 as Pay Equity Day in Illinois to raise awareness about wage inequality between men and women.

Documents that nationally women earn 82 cents per dollar compared to men, while in Illinois women earn 78 cents per dollar; the gap is larger for women of color (African American women earn 62 cents, Latina women earn 54 cents).

Notes that wage gaps begin as early as one year after college and have long-term effects on women's Social Security earnings, retirement savings, and children's education.

Recognizes that Equal Pay Day was originated in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity to symbolize how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned the previous year.

Affirms that pay equity is essential to workforce motivation, poverty eradication, and national competitiveness.