Rauner Vetoes Wage Gap, Salary History Bill

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday vetoed legislation that would have prohibited Illinois employers from asking workers about their previous salaries, but said he's still committed to eliminating the gender wage gap as he strongly supports wage equality. In a statement, Rauner said the bill resembles one he vetoed in 2017, which again refused to take a bipartisan approach to consider the interests of the business community.

"I noted in my prior veto message that Massachusetts already has established a best-in-the-country approach to the issue of employers inquiring about salary history," Rauner said in a statement with the veto. "I recommended that Illinois model its legal regime on Massachusetts’ model.

The governor listed several changes to the legislation in his statement, and said with those changes, the bill would have his approval.

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