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Aurora earns perfect score on Human Rights Campaign municipal equality index
Summary
Aurora received a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, city officials announced at the Dec. 17 Committee of the Whole meeting and presented awards to staff and advisory boards involved in the effort.
Michelle Clark, the city’s director of equity, diversity and inclusion, announced at the Dec. 17 Committee of the Whole meeting that Aurora earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) measures municipal laws, policies and services for inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. Clark, who serves as staff liaison to the Aurora Human Relations Commission, said the score is up six points from last year and 17 points from 2022. "I'm happy to report that the city of Aurora, earned a perfect score," Clark said.
The score places Aurora alongside Illinois cities including Champaign, Chicago, Rockford and Springfield that also scored 100 this year. Clark told the council the national average rose to 72 points in 2024 and framed Aurora’s result as both a civil-rights and economic signal: inclusive nondiscrimination laws, she said, help cities attract residents, visitors and businesses.
At the meeting Mayor Irvin presented the mayor’s Award of Excellence to the Aurora Human Relations Commission and to the Aurora LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, and recognized Michelle Clark and Alex Voigt of the mayor’s office for their roles in preparing the city’s submission. City officials said the result reflects updated nondiscrimination laws, municipal policies and services evaluated by HRC’s Municipal Equality Index.
Council members and advisory-board members joined staff for a photo after the presentations. No formal council vote or ordinance accompanied the announcement; the recognition was presented as part of the mayor’s report.
Why it matters: A municipal comparison like the MEI is used by businesses, residents and advocacy groups to evaluate local policies affecting LGBTQ+ residents and employees. City officials said the score signals Aurora’s commitment to nondiscrimination and inclusive municipal services.
