Pay Transparency

'Pay transparency' in Illinois, primarily mandated by the Illinois Equal Pay Act (effective January 1, 2025), refers to the requirement for employers with 15 or more employees to include the wage or salary, or wage or salary range, and a general description of benefits and other compensation in all job postings. This applies to positions performed in Illinois or reporting to an Illinois-based supervisor. The Illinois Workplace Transparency Act Amendment 2026 indirectly supports this by protecting employees' rights to discuss wages and report related unlawful practices.

Pay transparency refers to the obligation of employers to provide clear, comprehensive, and accessible information about their pay structures, the criteria used for pay setting and progression, and actual pay levels. This includes transparency at various stages, from disclosing salary ranges in job advertisements to providing employees with information on average pay for comparable roles, empowering individuals to identify and challenge potential discrimination and fostering a more open and accountable pay environment.