Naperville's LGBTQ Friendliness Ranks Last In State

NAPERVILLE, IL — Among nine Illinois cities, Naperville ranked last in an LGBTQ equality scorecard. The Human Rights Campaign tallied numbers for more than 500 municipalities and gave Naperville a score of 44 out of 100. That’s 13 points less than the national average. Naperville did get props for its non-discrimination laws (a 30 out of possible 30) and anti-bullying measures, but it lost points for not having an LGBTQ police liaison or task force. It also lost some points in the categories of municipal services and relationship with the LGBTQ community.

In an interview with the Naperville Sun, Mayor Steve Chirico told the paper he’s not heard of a hate crime in Naperville. He also said no one has raised the issue of a task force or liaison. There is, however, one active hate group in Naperville, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Americans for Truth About Homosexuality is based there, and is among 31 others in the state.

Earlier this July, Congressman Bill Foster hosted an LGBTQ panel discussion to raise awareness in the 11th District. Within that district is Aurora, which earned a score of 79. Its Police Department has a liaison and reported 2015 hate crime statistics to the FBI and a Human Rights Commission, which boosted its score above Naperville's. Illinois cities ranked highest to lowest are:

1. Chicago, 100
2. Aurora, 79
3. Champaign, 79
4. Joliet, 78
5. Peoria, 67
6. Springfield, 65
7. Rockford, 61
8. Carbondale, 50
9. Naperville, 42

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