Carbondale Reporter

State Representative Paul Jacobs shared information on new requirements for job listings in a December 4 Facebook post, stating, "A new law that goes into effect on January 1 requires companies to list an expected salary range in job postings."

"A new law that goes into effect on January 1 requires companies to list an expected salary range in job postings," said Jacobs, according to Facebook.

In his Facebook post, Jacobs included a link to a report by 25 News regarding the new law, which was signed in 2023 as an amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Starting January 1, businesses with 15 or more employees will be mandated to include the pay scale and expected benefits for all job postings. Companies failing to comply will have two weeks to update their listings with salary and benefits information. They face fines of $500 for a first offense or up to $2,500 for subsequent offenses if they do not comply within seven days.

Screenshot of State Representative Paul Jacobs' December 4 Facebook post | State Representative Paul Jacobs' Facebook page

According to the General Assembly’s webpage for House Bill 3129, also known as Public Act 103-0539, State Representative Mary Beth Canty filed the bill on February 16, 2023. It reached the Senate on March 27, passed in May, and was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on August 11. The bill's effective date is January 1, 2025. It introduces changes to the Equal Pay Act of 2023 and underwent several amendments in both legislative chambers before being approved by Pritzker.

NBC5 Chicago reports that employers must also maintain records of the pay scale and benefits for any advertised position. The report notes that California and Washington have similar laws requiring pay scale information in job listings. Colorado, Connecticut, and Maryland require employers to provide pay and benefits information during interviews if requested by applicants.

Jacobs was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2020. Prior to his legislative career, he worked as an optometrist and owned Von Jakob Vineyard in Alto Pass. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1971 and has four grown children and ten grandchildren with his wife.