Lightfoot vows to expand paid parental leave for city workers, conduct ‘pay equity’ audit

Women were hit harder economically than men by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report. (Sun-Times file)

Mayor Lori Lightfoot vowed Wednesday to expand paid parental leave for city employees, conduct a continuous “pay equity audit” and challenge the private sector to do the same.

The goal, the mayor said, is to remedy a pandemic-driven “she-cession” that’s had a disproportionate impact on women of color.