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 .
