For now, employers can still ask questions on salary history

Effectively, employers can still ask salary history questions in Illinois.

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed an amendatory veto of a bill that imposes a prohibition on employers asking applicants their salary history.

The bill is aimed at eliminating the pay gap between male and female employees.

In his veto message, Rauner noted House Bill 4163 “substantially resembles” the bill he vetoed in 2017. He said he is committed to eliminating the gender wage gap, but he says legislation passed in Massachusetts is the way to reach that goal.

In Massachusetts, employers cannot ask for a wage history unless it is part of the public record or the person is seeking another position within the same company. Employers can ask for a wage history after a person has been offered a job.

The bill’s sponsor, Elgin Democratic Rep. Anna Moeller, released a statement saying she will attempt to override Rauner’s action.