Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, City Of Champaign | City Of Champaign website
Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, City Of Champaign | City Of Champaign website
The City of Champaign has once again achieved the highest possible score on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI). This marks the thirteenth consecutive year that the city has been recognized for its inclusive LGBTQ+ laws, policies, and services. The MEI is a nationwide evaluation that assesses how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are for LGBTQ+ residents and workers. Champaign received a perfect score of 100 on this year's assessment.
Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “The City of Champaign is honored to once again receive a perfect score in this year’s Municipal Equality Index. 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.”
Kris Koester, Champaign’s LGBTQ+ Liaison, highlighted the city's long-standing commitment to inclusivity: “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 evaluates cities based on nondiscrimination laws, municipal employment practices, services provided by municipalities, law enforcement practices, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality issues. In its 13th annual report, the MEI analyzed 506 American cities using 49 different criteria. This year saw a record-breaking number of cities—130 in total—achieving a perfect score of 100. Additionally, 76 cities scored over 85 points despite being located in states without non-discrimination statutes protecting sexual orientation and gender identity.
Further details about this year's Municipal Equality Index can be found at hrc.org/mei.
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