The City of Champaign is proud to announce that it once again earned the highest possible score on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index. This is the thirteenth consecutive year that the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has recognized the City for its inclusive LGBTQ+ laws, policies, and services as a part of their annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The MEI is a nationwide evaluation on how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are for LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. As it did last year, the City achieved a score of 100 on the 2024 assessment – the highest possible score.
“The City of Champaign is honored to once again receive a perfect score in this year’s Municipal Equality Index,” said Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen. “The City Council and I are committed to ensuring Champaign remains a welcoming and safe place for our valued LGBTQ+ community members. This latest achievement shows how Champaign continues to be a leader by advancing laws and policies that promote an inclusive and diverse city that everyone can enjoy and call home.”
Champaign’s LGBTQ+ Liaison Kris Koester added, “The City of Champaign has been at the forefront of protecting the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals since 1972 by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The City organization remains committed to listening, learning, and working with our community to continue fostering that inclusivity.”
The MEI rates cities on nondiscrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. The 13th Annual Municipal Equality Index analyzed 506 American cities using 49 different criteria. This year, a record-breaking 130 cities earned the highest score of 100 while 76 cities earned over 85 points despite hailing from states that do not have non-discrimination statutes that protect sexual orientation and gender identity. Learn more about this year’s Municipal Equality Index at hrc.org/mei.