The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) announced a $350,000 partnership with Women Employed to inform low-income women across Illinois, in particular low-wage women of color, about pay equity and pay transparency standards. The partnership is made possible by funding from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Fostering Access, Rights and Education (FARE) grant program. Illinois is one of six states and territories in the country to receive a grant for this work. As recipients of the FARE grant, IDOL, in partnership with Women Employed and other community groups will:

• Conduct outreach to working women who are paid low wages and are otherwise marginalized and underserved.

• Publicize educational materials across a variety of platforms, including social media, in-person or virtual events, and one-on-one consultations.

• Assist women workers with navigating and calculating benefits.

• Connect and refer women workers to additional services, benefits, and legal help as needed.

• Through a train-the-trainer model, train women in the workforce to become advocates for rights, benefits, and assistance in their own communities.

To learn more about IDOL, head to www2.illinois.gov.