The impact of the Equal Pay Act of 2003 on gender equality in the Illinois labour market

Abstract: Using data extracted through the Current Population Survey (CPS), this thesis evaluates the effects of the Illinois 2003 Equal Pay Act and its amendments. This is done through studying the effects that the implementation of this legislation had on gender specific labour market outcomes. The results from a quantitative approach, though not conclusive, indicate that the legislation may have had our anticipated effects on labour market outcomes in Illinois: The gender pay gap, as well as the female labour market participation, decreased. This suggests that the wage of a female employee compared to that of a male employee increased, whilst, contrary to the purpose of the law, the total number of hours worked by females compared to males decreased after the implementation of the protective legislation in Illinois. This thesis also addresses the need for further research of the appropriateness of labour legislation as a protective measure against labour market discrimination.