SPRINGFIELD (WEEK)–Governor JB Pritzker issued a new executive order Monday requiring that people with disabilities receive equal pay for work they perform as employees of state vendors.
Under that order, employers who currently pay people with disabilities a sub-minimum wage will now need to re-negotiate those contracts.
“This wage increase will not cost any employee their job. As we move forward the state will work its vendors to ensure that they have the tools they need to continue providing people with disabilities an opportunity to engage in meaningful work with standard pay,” Pritzker said.
The governor said this move is about the dignity of a fair wage and setting a higher standard for worker’s rights.
He added more than 80 percent of state vendors already pay at least minimum wage to those with disabilities.
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