CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The City of Champaign has once again achieved a perfect score on the 2025 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), marking the 14th consecutive year the city has been recognized for its commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ residents. The MEI, a nationwide evaluation by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), measures municipalities based on how well they support LGBTQ+ laws, policies, and services. Champaign earned a perfect score of 100 for the 2025 assessment.
Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen expressed pride in the city’s accomplishment. “The City of Champaign is proud to once again earn a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index,” she said. “This recognition reflects the City’s ongoing work to build a community where LGBTQ+ residents feel respected, supported, and safe. The City Council’s commitment to equality continues to shape policies that strengthen inclusion and celebrate the diversity that makes our community a place everyone can truly belong.”
Champaign’s LGBTQ+ Liaison, Kris Koester, also celebrated the achievement. “We are pleased to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign. We know that perfect scores on the Municipal Equality Index do not happen by accident. Intentional inclusivity and inclusive progress are part of what the City of Champaign builds upon every day, from policy to practice. Our community is stronger when everyone plays a part in it, and we remain dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive place for all.”
The MEI assesses cities across several key categories, including nondiscrimination laws, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. The 14th Annual Municipal Equality Index evaluated hundreds of U.S. cities, with each city measured against 49 distinct criteria. This year, 130 cities received a perfect score, representing over 25% of all MEI-rated cities.
The City of Champaign’s continued commitment to inclusivity and diversity has been a cornerstone of its policies and actions, ensuring the community remains a place where all residents feel valued and supported.
For more information on the 2025 Municipal Equality Index, visit hrc.org/mei.
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