More cities and states have weighed in on SB 101, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, by issuing bans on nonessential state- or city-funded travel to Indiana. No such plans are presently in store for Illinois, however.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, calling the law "just wrong, plain and simple," said March 31 that Denver employees would not be travelling to the Hoosier State on city business. In doing so, Hancock joined Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, Connecticut Gov. Daniel Malloy, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, among others, in issuing such orders.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will not be issuing such a directive. Spokesperson Catherine Kelly told Windy City Times March 31: "Governor Rauner has no social agenda and is focused completely on his Turnaround Agenda, which will make Illinois more competitive for job creators and empower local voters to control their property taxes."
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has not issued a travel ban but on March 27 sent several letters to Indiana-based business leaders asking them to consider relocation in light of the legislation.
"Today, you cannot succeed in the global economy if you discriminate against your residents by treating them as second class citizens," Emanuel wrote. "As Gov. Pence changes state law to take Indiana backwards, I urge you to look next door."