HB5523 Summary

• Creates the Prevention of Gender-Based Discrimination in Service Industries Act, prohibiting service businesses (hairstylists, barbers, tailors, dry cleaners, laundries) from charging different prices based on gender for services of similar or like kind.

• Permits price differences that are based specifically on the amount of time, difficulty, or cost of providing services.

• Requires tailors, barbershops/hair salons, and dry cleaners/laundries to post price lists in at least 14-point boldface type for the 15 most frequently requested services and provide complete price lists upon customer request.

• Mandates businesses display a conspicuous sign in at least 24-point boldface type stating Illinois law prohibits gender-based price discrimination and that a complete price list is available upon request.

• Establishes a $1,000 civil penalty for businesses that fail to correct violations within 30 days of written notice, and classifies violations of pricing discrimination as civil rights violations under the Illinois Human Rights Act.