A record number of the nation’s major companies and law firms are advancing vital policies and practices to protect LGBTQ workers around the world, according to the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which he Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation released recently.
This year, a record-breaking 609 businesses earned the CEI’s top score of 100, up from 517 last year—a single-year increase of 18 percent.
Among other things, the CEI—launched in 2002 to assess LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices at Fortune 500 companies—highlights how corporate leaders are increasingly stepping up to play a leading role in opposing anti-equality legislation.
The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria falling under five categories: non-discrimination policies; employment benefits; demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion; public commitment to LGBTQ equality; and responsible citizenship.
Regarding Illinois businesses, those receiving a score of 100 percent include A.T. Kearney Inc. (Chicago), AbbVie Inc. (North Chicago), Allstate (Northbrook), Aon Corp. (Chicago), Astellas Pharma US Inc (Northbrook), Baker & McKenzie LLP (Chicago), Barilla America Inc. (Northbrook), Baxter International Inc. (Deerfield), BMO Bankcorp Inc. (Chicago), Boeing Co. (Chicago), CDW Corp. (Lincolnshire), Chapman and Cutler LLP (Chicago), CNA Insurance (Chicago) and ConAgra Brands Inc. (Chicago).
They also include Discover Financial Services (Riverwoods), Exelon Corp. (Chicago), Faegre Baker Daniels (Chicago), the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Grant Thornton LLP (Chicago), Groupon Inc. (Chicago), Health Care Service Corp. (Chicago), HERE North America LLC (Chicago), Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP (Chicago), Huron Consulting Group Inc. (Chicago), Hyatt Hotels Corp. (Chicago), Jenner & Block LLP (Chicago), JLL (Chicago), Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP (Chicago), Kirkland & Ellis LLP (Chicago), Leo Burnett Company Inc. (Chicago), Mayer Brown LLP (Chicago), McDermott Will & Emery LLP (Chicago), McDonald’s Corp. (Oak Brook) and MillerCoors LLC (Chicago).
Rounding out the list are Morningstar Inc. (Chicago), Navigant Consulting Inc. (Chicago), Northern Trust Corp. (Chicago), Schiff Hardin LLP (Chicago), Sears Holdings Corp. (Hoffman Estates), Seyfarth Shaw LLP (Chicago), Sidley Austin LLP (Chicago), Starcom (Chicago), State Farm Group (Bloomington), Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (Deerfield), United Airlines (Chicago), W.W. Grainger Inc. (Lake Forest), Walgreen Co. (Deerfield) and Winston & Strawn LLP (Chicago).
The CEI is at HRC.org/cei.