Illinois cities get above average marks on LGBT equality

The Human Rights Campaign, known as the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization, released its third annual report Wednesday assessing LGBT equality in 353 cities across the nation, including seven in Illinois.

The 2014 Municipal Equality Index, the only nationwide rating system of LGBT inclusion in municipal law and policy, shows the cities across the country that continue to take the lead in supporting LGBT people and workers.

The average score for cities in Illinois is 69 out of 100 points, campaign officials said in a news release. That score falls above the national average of 59.

Among the cities listed by the Human Rights Campaign, Aurora scored a 61, Naperville received a 59, and Chicago earned a perfect 100, officials said.

The list also has Joliet with score of 63, Rockford with 57, Springfield with 76 and Champaign received a 70, officials said.

Thirty-eight cities across the nation earned perfect 100-point scores, officials said, up from 25 in 2013. There were 11 cities in the nation that received a perfect score in 2012, the first year of the MEI, officials said.

Chicago earned a 100-point score, officials said, helping to set a standard of LGBT inclusiveness with exemplary policies ranging from nondiscrimination laws and equal employee benefits, to cutting edge city services.