Business Case for the Freedom to Marry

Page 1

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE

FREEDOM TO MARRY EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW

The Business Case for the

FREEDOM TO MARRY What is the Freedom to Marry? Marriage is about love, commitment, and family. The Illinois bill proposing civil marriage equality is called the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The Act would guarantee that all civil marriages, regardless of whether they are between opposite-sex or same-sex couples, will come with the same protections, rights, and responsibilities for the married couples and their children. Same-sex parties to a marriage and their children will be treated under Illinois law in the same way that it recognizes marriages of opposite-sex couples. Additionally, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act respects the guarantees of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, allowing free exercise of religion and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference. Marriage is about love, commitment, and family. The Illinois bill proposing marriage equality, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, would guarantee that all marriages, regardless of whether they are between opposite-sex or same-sex couples, will come with the same protections, rights, and responsibilities for the parties to the marriage and their children.

Why is Marriage Important? Gay and lesbian individuals want to get married to make a lifetime commitment to the person they love and to protect their families. Governments use the institution of marriage to recognize and protect family units. There are 1,138 federal rights that are inherent in marriage, most of which are unavailable to Illinois couples because this state does not have the freedom to marry. In addition, the state of Illinois affords 648 protections to married couples and their families. Some of these rights include: UĂŠĂŠ6iĂŒiĂ€>Â˜ĂŠĂƒÂŤÂœĂ•Ăƒ>Â?ĂŠLi˜iwĂŒĂƒ UĂŠĂŠ LˆÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŤĂ•ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠiÂ˜ĂŒÂˆĂ€iĂŠv>“ˆÂ?Ăž]ĂŠÂˆÂ˜VÂ?Ă•`ˆ˜}ĂŠ>ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iÀÊ>˜`ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂ‰Â…iÀÊV…ˆÂ?`Ă€i˜]ĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂœÂ˜iʓi`ˆV>Â?ĂŠ>˜`Ă‰ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ?ˆviĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂƒĂ•Ă€>˜ViĂŠÂŤÂ?>˜ UĂŠĂŠ Ă•ĂŒÂœÂ“>ĂŒÂˆVĂŠÂˆÂ˜Â…iĂ€ÂˆĂŒ>˜Vi]ĂŠiĂ›iÂ˜ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â? UĂŠĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ?i}iĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŒiĂƒĂŒÂˆvĂžÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ>}>ÂˆÂ˜ĂƒĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠVÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒ UĂŠĂŠ LˆÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂ“>ÂŽiʓi`ˆV>Â?ĂŠ`iVÂˆĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ>ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠi“iĂ€}i˜VĂž UĂŠĂŠ,ˆ}Â…ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂ?ÂœÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂŤ>Ă€iÂ˜ĂŒÂˆÂ˜}]ĂŠ>`ÂœÂŤĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜]ĂŠvÂœĂƒĂŒiÀÊV>Ă€i]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂ›ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂœvĂŠV…ˆÂ?`Ă€i˜ UĂŠĂŠ,ˆ}Â…ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒ>ÂŽiĂŠĂ•Â˜ÂŤ>ˆ`ĂŠÂ?i>Ă›iĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂœÂœĂ€ÂŽĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠV>Ă€iĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ>ĂŠĂƒÂˆVÂŽĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ UĂŠĂŠ LˆÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠwÂ?iĂŠÂ?ÂœÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂŒ>Ă?ĂŠĂ€iĂŒĂ•Ă€Â˜ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂ•ĂƒiĂŠĂŒ>Ă?ĂŠLi˜iwĂŒĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“>Ă€Ă€Âˆi`ĂŠVÂœĂ•ÂŤÂ?iĂƒ

Where is Illinois On Marriage? "Â˜ĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞʙ]ĂŠĂ“ä£ĂŽ]ĂŠ-i˜>ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠ i>ĂŒÂ…iÀÊ-ĂŒi>Â˜ĂƒĂŠ­ ‡ …ˆV>}ÂœÂŽĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ,iÂŤĂ€iĂƒiÂ˜ĂŒ>ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ Ă€i}ĂŠ >Ă€Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŠ­ ‡ …ˆV>}ÂœÂŽĂŠwÂ?i`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ,iÂ?ˆ}ÂˆÂœĂ•ĂƒĂŠ Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act (Senate Bill 10). The bill was quickly passed by the Senate Executive Committee and >ÂŤÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›i`ĂŠLĂžĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ-i˜>ĂŒiĂŠLÞÊ>ĂŠLĂ€Âœ>`ĂŠLÂˆÂ‡ÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆĂƒ>Â˜ĂŠĂ›ÂœĂŒiĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ6>Â?iÂ˜ĂŒÂˆÂ˜i½ĂƒĂŠ >Ăž]ĂŠĂ“ä£ĂŽ°ĂŠ-Â…ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ?ÞÊ>vĂŒiĂ€]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒiĂŠ Ă?iVĂ•ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“ÂˆĂŒĂŒiiĂŠ approved the bill. The House adjourned its session without voting on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act; however, the bill was extended through August 31, 2013, with the possibility of additional extensions, as needed.

2|

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

Dispelling MARRIAGE EQUALITY MYTHS:

#1 #2 #3

MYTH: >ÀÀ >}iÊiµÕ> ÌÞÊV > }iÃÊÌ iÊ`iw Ì Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}i° FACT: Ü }ÊÃ> i ÃiÝÊV Õ« iÃÊÌ Ê}iÌÊ >ÀÀ i`Ê` iÃÊ ÌÊV > }iÊÌ iÊ`iw Ì Ê vÊ marriage. Marriage will remain an institution entered into by two people who love each other and seek to make a lifetime commitment to each other and protect their families. MYTH: If marriage equality is legalized, all churches and religious institutions will be forced to perform same-sex marriages and recognize those unions as legitimate. FACT: Marriage equality legalizes civil marriage for same-sex couples. This means that religious institutions are not affected in any way. No religious institution would ever be forced to marry same-sex couples or recognize same-sex marriages within their belief system. MYTH: Marriages between gays and lesbians have a negative effect on children. FACT: Excluding same-sex couples from marriage harms children by denying them and their families the rights, protection, and sense of legitimacy that comes with legal marriage. Studies consistently show that children of gay and lesbian couples are equally as well adjusted as those of opposite-sex couples. In fact, all major child welfare experts, V Õ` }Ê Ì iÊ iÀ V> Ê V>`i ÞÊ vÊ *i` >ÌÀ VÃ]Ê Ì iÊ >Ì > Ê ÃÃ V >Ì Ê vÊ - V > Ê 7 À iÀÃ]Ê Ì iÊ iÀ V> Ê *ÃÞV >ÌÀ VÊ ÃÃ V >Ì ]Ê > `Ê Ì iÊ iÀ V> Ê *ÃÞV } V> Ê Association support the freedom of same-sex couples to marry because > Ê v> iÃÊ Li iwÌÊ vÀ Ê Ì iÊ «À ÌiVÌ ÃÊ > `Ê ÃiVÕÀ ÌÞÊ Ì >ÌÊ marriage brings. Millions of children are currently being raised by same-sex couples and the only way to i ÃÕÀiÊÌ iÃiÊV `Ài Ê >ÛiÊÌ iÊÃ> iÊÀ } ÌÃ]ÊLi iwÌÃ]Ê and protections as their neighbors and classmates is if their parents are allowed to be married.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

|3

#4 #5 #6

MYTH: Illinois already has civil unions which provide the same rights as marriage. FACT: Civil unions are not equal to marriages. The institution of marriage has a long legal and cultural history, so employers, businesses, and other societal actors know how to treat married couples. This is not the same for civil unions. Equality Illinois has documented numerous instances where private institutions, such as businesses, have ÌÊÀiV } âi`ÊV Û ÊÕ ÃÊ>ÃÊiµÕ> ÊÌ Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊv ÀÊÌ iÊ«ÕÀ« ÃiÊ vÊ«À Û ` }ÊLi iwÌÃ°Ê Because of the confusion over the status and rights of civil union couples, they are constantly unsure of how they will be treated by different people around their state. The bottom line is, because civil unions and marriages are two separate institutions, this implies that the love and commitment that same-sex couples share is less valid than that of opposite-sex couples who have the option of being married. MYTH: Marriage is a historical institution that has so far remained unchanged. FACT: Marriage has actually evolved throughout history to meet the needs of our society. At various points in the past it was common to have arranged marriages, women ÜiÀiÊÌ Õ} ÌÊ vÊ>ÃÊ viÀ ÀÊÌ i ÀÊ ÕÃL> `Ã]ÊÌ iÊÜ > ½ÃÊv> ÞÊ >`ÊÌ Ê«>ÞÊ>Ê` ÜÀÞ]Ê> `Ê wÀÃÌÊV Õà ÃÊ vÌi Ê} ÌÊ >ÀÀ i`°Ê > ÞÊ L V> Ê iÀ iÃÊ >`Ê Õ Ì « iÊÜ ÛiÃÊ ÀÊ >`ÊV `Ài Ê Ü Ì ÊÌ i ÀÊ`>Õ} ÌiÀðÊ1 Ì Ê£ ÈÇ]ÊÃÌ>ÌiÃÊ`iw i`Ê >ÀÀ >}iÊ>ÃÊ>ÊÕ Ê Ìi`ÊÌ Ê«i « iÊ of the same race. During the decades when the majority of Americans supported bans on interracial marriage, proponents of the ban called marriage between a man and woman of different races “unnatural” and anti-religious, and claimed that our society Ü Õ `ÊLiV iÊiÀ `i`Ê vÊÌ iÊ`iw Ì Ê vÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊÜ>ÃÊ> ÌiÀi`Ê> `ÊLÀ >`i i`°Ê/ `>Þ]Ê these arguments against interracial marriage seem dated and bigoted, but the same language is being used to attack equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. MYTH: The recent Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor granted equal rights to gay and lesbian couples by striking down the Defense of Marriage Act.

FACT: Striking down DOMA allows the federal government now to recognize marriages of Ã> i ÃiÝÊV Õ« iÃ]ÊLÕÌÊÌ iÊ ` ÃÌÀ>Ì Ê >ÃÊÃÌ>Ìi`ÊiÝ« V Ì ÞÊÌ >ÌÊÌ iÃiÊLi iwÌÃÊÜ Ê ÌÊLiÊ available to couples in civil unions. Not only does Illinois offer only civil unions to same-sex couples, but even if the couples travel to other states to get married and come back Ì Ê Ã]Ê>VViÃÃÊÌ Ê > ÞÊVÀÕV > Êvi`iÀ> ÊLi iwÌÃÊ ÃÊV ` Ì i`Ê ÊÌ iÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊLi }ÊÛ> `Ê ÊÌ iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ vÊÌ iÊV Õ« i½ÃÊÀià `i Vi°Ê Ài ÛiÀ]ÊV Õ« iÃÊÃ Õ `Ê ÌÊ >ÛiÊÌ ÊÌÀ>Ûi Ê>Ü>ÞÊvÀ Ê Ì i ÀÊ iÃ]Êv> Þ]Ê> `ÊvÀ i `ÃÊ Ê À`iÀÊÌ Ê}iÌÊ >ÀÀ i`Ê> `Ê}> Ê>VViÃÃÊÌ ÊÌ iÃiÊLi iwÌð»

4|

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

Ten Reasons Business Leaders

SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY: one

Supporting marriage equality shows that you respect and value the dignity of all employees.

two

Support for marriage equality helps companies maintain a competitive edge for recruiting and retaining the best talent by demonstrating a commitment to creating an open, healthy, and equitable environment in which to live and work.

three

The lifeblood of a company is its ability to understand and connect with its customers. To be successful, it’s critical that the workforce is as diverse as the customers.

four

Being able to select from a broader pool of employees will lead to a stronger workforce, enabling the company to thrive and earn more revenue.

five

Marriage equality would put employers in Illinois on an equal footing with employers in states that have already recognized the committed relationship of same-sex couples.

six

There is no substitute for employees with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

seven

Support for marriage equality will enable every minority employee to feel secure and valued.

eight nine ten

Attracting talent to Illinois is key to our state’s economic future. Support for marriage equality helps build a reputation for fairness. Leading on the issue of equality is the right thing to do.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

|5

Business Leaders Support the FREEDOM TO MARRY

(The following lists are illustrative and not complete. Please contact EQIL if you would like to add your name.) Illinois Business Leaders Supporting the Freedom to Marry:

Ă•Ă€ĂŒĂŠ >ˆÂ?iĂž]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ,iÂ?>ĂŒi`ĂŠ ˆ`ĂœiĂƒĂŒ Amy Bluhm ˜`Ă€iĂœĂŠ Â?Յ“]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜`iÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆÂ˜VÂˆÂŤ>Â?]ĂŠ iÂ?>Ăœ>Ă€iĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒĂŠ >ÂŤÂˆĂŒ>Â? iˆÂ?ĂŠ °ĂŠ Â?Յ“]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜`iÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ >˜>}ˆ˜}ĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆÂ˜VÂˆÂŤ>Â?]ĂŠ7>Â?ĂŒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒĂŠ >ÂŤÂˆĂŒ>Â? ÂœĂ€Â“ĂŠ ÂœLÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€Â“iÀÊ "]ĂŠ >->Â?Â?iĂŠ >Â˜ÂŽĂ†ĂŠ Â…>ÂˆĂ€Â“>˜]ĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆĂ›>ĂŒi >Â˜ÂŽĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ/Ă€Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠ Âœ° ˆÂ?Â?ĂŠ Ă€>˜`ĂŒ]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ "]ĂŠ iĂ›iÂ?ÂœÂŤÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ-ÂŤiVˆ>Â?ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂƒ]ĂŠ ˜V° Carole Brown, Senior Managing Director, Barclays Capital Lewis B. Campbell, Chairman and CEO, Navistar International >˜ViĂŠ Â…Âœ`Ăž]ĂŠ "]ĂŠ >ÀÀiĂŒĂŒĂŠ*ÂœÂŤVÂœĂ€Â˜ĂŠ-Â…ÂœÂŤĂƒ *…ˆÂ?ÂˆÂŤĂŠ °ĂŠ Â?i“iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ Â?ÂœL>Â?ĂŠ …ˆivĂŠ >ÀŽiĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆV>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ"vwViĂ€]ĂŠ œ˜ Hon. William M. Daley Laura Desmond, CEO, Starcom Mediavest Group Fred Eychaner, Chairman, Newsweb Corporation *>Ă•Â?ĂŠ-°ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒÂ…iĂ€]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ "]ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiĂ€*ÂœÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ*Ă€ÂœÂŤiĂ€ĂŒÂˆiĂƒ Â?LiĂ€ĂŒĂŠ °ĂŠ Ă€Âˆi`“>˜]ĂŠ "ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ Ă€Âˆi`“>Â˜ĂŠ*Ă€ÂœÂŤiĂ€ĂŒÂˆiĂƒ]ĂŠ ĂŒ`° *iĂŒiÀÊ ÂœĂŒĂŒÂ?ˆiL]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ-ĂŒ>ÀÊ Â˜Ă›iĂƒĂŒÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ >˜>}i“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂ€ÂŤÂœĂ€>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ David A. Helfand, CEO, Helix Funds

>Ă€Ă€ÂˆiĂŠ ˆ}Â…ĂŒÂ“>˜]ĂŠ Ă?iVĂ•ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ6ˆViĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ …ˆivĂŠ i}>Â?ĂŠ"vwViĂ€]ĂŠ ˆ-ÂœĂ•Ă€ViĂŠ ˜V° iÂ?Â?Âœ`ÞÊ ÂœLĂƒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ Ă€ÂˆiÂ?ĂŠ Â˜Ă›iĂƒĂŒÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒ]ĂŠ

Fred Hoch, CEO, Illinois Technology Association >ÀŽÊ-°ĂŠ ÂœÂŤÂ?>“>âˆ>˜]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ "]ĂŠ Ăž>ĂŒĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂŒiÂ?ĂƒĂŠ ÂœĂ€ÂŤÂœĂ€>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ Kym Hubbard, CIO and Treasurer, Ernst & Young ,ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Ă•LiÀ“>˜]ĂŠ Ă?iVĂ•ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ Â…>ÂˆĂ€]ĂŠ/Ă€>Â˜ĂƒÂˆĂŒ*Ă€ÂœĂŠ Âœ}ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆVĂƒ]ĂŠ ˜V° Chris Kennedy, Founder and Chairman, Top Box Foods 7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>“Ê >ĂœÂ?iĂƒĂƒ]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ/Â…iĂŠ >}iĂŠEĂŠ iÂ˜Ă€ÂˆĂŠ,iĂƒĂŒ>Ă•Ă€>Â˜ĂŒĂƒ Joseph Mansueto, Founder and CEO, Morningstar Inc. ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ7°ĂŠ V ÂœĂœ>˜]ĂŠ-iÂ˜ÂˆÂœĂ€ĂŠ6ˆViĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…iĂ€Â˜ĂŠ/Ă€Ă•ĂƒĂŒ Matt Moog, Founder and Chairman, Built In Chicago >Ă•Ă€>ĂŠ"½ >Ă€>]ĂŠ Ă?iVĂ•ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ ÂˆĂ€iVĂŒÂœĂ€]ĂŠ 6 ->Ă€>Â…ĂŠ*>˜}]ĂŠ-iÂ˜ÂˆÂœĂ€ĂŠ6ˆViĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ÂŤÂœĂ€>ĂŒi ,ˆVÂ…>Ă€`ĂŠ-°ĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆVi]ĂŠ Â…>ÂˆĂ€Â“>Â˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ "]ĂŠ iĂƒÂˆĂ€ÂœĂœĂŠ ˆ˜>˜Vˆ>Â? +Ă•ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ °ĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆÂ“ÂœĂŠ ]ĂŠ Â…>ÂˆĂ€Â“>Â˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ "]ĂŠ >ÂŤĂ€ÂˆĂŠ >ÂŤÂˆĂŒ>Â?ĂŠ*>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠ

° °ĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆĂŒâÂŽiĂ€]ĂŠ œ‡ ÂœĂ•Â˜`iÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ œ‡ i>`]ĂŠ/Â…iĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆĂŒâÂŽiÀÊ Ă€ÂœĂ•ÂŤ ˆ}ÂˆĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆĂŒâÂŽiÀÊ*Ă•VÂŽiĂ€]ĂŠ"`` ÂœĂŒĂŠ Â˜ĂŒiĂ€ĂŒ>ˆ˜“iÂ˜ĂŒ

ÂœĂ•}ĂŠ,i}>˜]ĂŠ ˆ`ĂœiĂƒĂŒĂŠ,i}ˆœ˜>Â?ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€iVĂŒÂœĂ€]ĂŠ °*°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€}>˜ Ă•`ÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ °ĂŠ,ˆVi]ĂŠ-iÂ˜ÂˆÂœĂ€ĂŠ6ˆViĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ "ĂŠ >Ă€Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŠ >˜Ž Laura Ricketts, Co-Owner of the Chicago Cubs and CEO of Ecotravel.com

iĂƒÂˆĂ€iiĂŠ,Âœ}iĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠ "]ĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ*Ă•LÂ?ÂˆĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜Ăž John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Ariel Investments, LLC John W. Rowe, Chairman Emeritus, Exelon Corporation ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ->VÂŽĂƒ]ĂŠ "]ĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂƒĂ›iÂ˜ÂœĂ€ĂŠ >ÂŤÂˆĂŒ>Â?ĂŠ >˜>}i“iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ °*° Harrison I. Steans, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Financial Investments Corp. >ÞÊ-ĂŒÂˆiLiĂ€]ĂŠ Ă?iVĂ•ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ6ˆViĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ i˜iĂ€>Â?ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂƒiÂ?]ĂŠ Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. ,ˆVÂ…ĂŠ-ĂŒÂœ``>Ă€ĂŒ]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ iÂœĂŠ Ă•Ă€Â˜iĂŒĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ “iĂ€ÂˆV> ÂœĂœ>Ă€`ĂŠ/Ă•Â?Â?“>˜]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ "]ĂŠ/Ă€ÂˆLiV>ĂŠ Â?>ĂƒÂ…ÂŤÂœÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ i`ˆ>ĂŠ Ă€ĂŒĂƒĂŠ V>`i“Þ Estelle Walgreen, Founder, Hispanically Speaking News /ÂœÂ˜ĂžĂŠ7iÂˆĂƒÂ“>˜]ĂŠ,i}ˆœ˜>Â?ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ ˆ}ÂˆĂŒ>Ăƒ National Business Leaders Supporting the Freedom to Marry: ÀÕViĂŠ >ĂƒĂŒÂˆ>˜]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜`iĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ7ÂœĂ€`*iĂ€viVĂŒĂŠ-ÂœvĂŒĂœ>Ă€iĂŠ ÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜Ăž

>˜`>ViĂŠ iˆ˜iVÂŽi]ĂŠ Â…>ÂˆĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Ă•}Â…iĂƒĂŠ Ă•LL>Ă€`ĂŠEĂŠ,ii`ĂŠ * /ÂœÂ“ĂŠ iĂ€Â˜ĂƒĂŒiˆ˜]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ œ‡ ÂœĂ•Â˜`iĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â…iÂ?Ăƒi>ĂŠ*ˆiĂ€ĂƒĂŠ °*°]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€Â“iÀÊ*Ă€ÂˆÂ˜VÂˆÂŤ>Â?ĂŠ of Silver Screen Management Inc. Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs ˆVÂ…>iÂ?ĂŠ Â?œœ“LiĂ€}]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜`iĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â?œœ“LiĂ€}ĂŠ °*°]ĂŠ >ĂžÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ iĂœĂŠ9ÂœĂ€ÂŽĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂž iĂ›ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ÕÀŽi]ĂŠ Â…>ÂˆĂ€Â“>˜]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ "ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂœÂ?ˆ`>ĂŒi`ĂŠ `ÂˆĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ˜V°ĂŠ *…ˆÂ?ÂˆÂŤÂŤiĂŠ >Փ>˜]ĂŠ "ĂŠÂœvĂŠ6ˆ>Vœ“

>˜ˆiÂ?ĂŠ ÂœVĂŒÂœĂ€Âœvv]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â?œœ“LiĂ€}ĂŠ °*° *>ĂŒĂ€ÂˆVÂŽĂŠ Ă•Â˜ÂˆV>Â˜ĂŠ Ă€°]ĂŠ Â…>ÂˆĂ€Â“>Â˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ >˜>}ˆ˜}ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€iVĂŒÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ˆLLÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ*° ° Bill Gates, Former CEO and Current Chairman of Microsoft Tom Glocer, Former CEO of Thomson Reuters and Reuters Jonathan Grayer, Former Chairman and CEO of Kaplan Inc. Robert Haas, Chairman Emeritus of Levi Strauss & Co. Klaus Kleinfeld, Former CEO of Siemens AG, CEO of Alcoa Inc

6|

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

Rochelle Lazarus, Chairman and former CEO of Ogilvy & Mather

>˜ˆiÂ?ĂŠ ÂœiL]ĂŠ >˜>}iÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜`iĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ/Â…ÂˆĂ€`ĂŠ*ÂœÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ

John Mack, Senior Advisor, Former CEO and Chairman of the Board at Morgan Stanley ,ˆVÂ…>Ă€`ĂŠ*>Ă€ĂƒÂœÂ˜Ăƒ]ĂŠ Â…>ÂˆĂ€Â“>Â˜ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂˆĂŒÂˆ}Ă€ÂœĂ•ÂŤ Â?>Â˜ĂŠ*>ĂŒĂ€ÂˆVÂœv]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜`iĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂŤ>Ă?ĂŠ*>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂƒĂŠ ,œ˜>Â?`ĂŠ*iĂ€iÂ?“>˜]ĂŠ"ĂœÂ˜iĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ >V ˜`Ă€iĂœĂƒĂŠEĂŠ ÂœĂ€LiĂƒĂŠ ÂœÂ?`ˆ˜}ĂŠ ˜V°

>Â˜ĂŠ,Ă•Lˆ˜]ĂŠ*>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iÀÊ>ĂŒĂŠ Â?Â?ÂœĂžĂŠ6iÂ˜ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂƒ 7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>“Ê °ĂŠ,Ă•`ˆ˜]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠ,Ă•`ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ >˜>}i“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜Ăž Kevin Ryan, Founder and CEO of Gilt Groupe, Former CEO of DoubleClick Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks *>Ă•Â?ĂŠ-ˆ˜}iĂ€]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜`iÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ "ĂŠÂœvĂŠ Â?Â?ÂˆÂœĂŒĂŒĂŠ >˜>}i“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂ€ÂŤÂœĂ€>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ Jerry Speyer, Founder of Tischman Speyer, Owner of Rockefeller Center iĂƒĂŠ-ĂŒ>Â?iĂž]ĂŠ …ˆivĂŠ Ă?iVĂ•ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂœvĂŠ °*°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€}>˜ -ĂŒĂ•>Ă€ĂŒĂŠ >ĂŒVÂ…ĂŠ-Ă•Â˜>]ĂŠ œ‡"ĂœÂ˜iÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠ-ˆÂ?Ă›iĂ€VĂ•ÂŤĂŠ-ĂŒĂ•`ÂˆÂœĂƒ Jonathan Tisch, Chairman of Loews Hotels, Co-Chairman of Loews Corporation Steve Tisch, Owner of the New York Giants iĂ€Â˜>Ă€`ĂŠ7Â…ÂˆĂŒÂ“>˜]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠ7Â…ÂˆĂŒÂ“>Â˜ĂŠ Â˜ĂƒÂˆ}Â…ĂŒĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€>ĂŒi}ˆiĂƒ >ĂŒÂ…Ă€ĂžÂ˜ĂŠ7ĂžÂ?`i]ĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ …ˆivĂŠ Ă?iVĂ•ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ iĂœĂŠ9ÂœĂ€ÂŽĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ and Deputy Chair to the Board the Federal Reserve Bank of New York -ĂŒĂ€>Ă•ĂƒĂƒĂŠ<iÂ?˜ˆVÂŽ]ĂŠ "ĂŠÂœvĂŠ/>ÂŽi‡/ĂœÂœĂŠ Â˜ĂŒiĂ€>VĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ-ÂœvĂŒĂœ>Ă€iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ*>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ZelnickMedia LLC Mortimer Zuckerman, Owner of New York Daily News, Editor In-Chief of U.S. News and World Report Illinois Organizations and Businesses Supporting the Freedom to Marry: AON Chicago Urban League Google Groupon Illinois Science & Technology Coalition Knight Engineers & Architects Navistar The Nielson Co. Orbitz Worldwide Inc. National Brands Supporting the Freedom to Marry: Absolut Ă€ÂœĂ•ÂŤĂŠ i>Â?ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ*Â?>˜ Adobe iĂœÂ?iĂŒĂŒÂ‡*>VÂŽ>Ă€` Aetna Intel Alcoa Kenneth Cole Â?Â?ÂœĂžĂŠ6iÂ˜ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂƒ Levi Strauss & Co. Amazon Marriott International Apple Microsoft Corp. Barnes & Noble Morgan Stanley iÂ˜ĂŠEĂŠ iÀÀÞ½Ăƒ Nike Bloomberg ˆĂ?ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ*i>LÂœ`ÞÊ Boeing Nordstrom Budweiser Ogilvy and Mather Caesars Entertainment Oracle Cisco *>VˆwVĂŠ >ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ Â?iVĂŒĂ€ÂˆVĂŠ ÂœÂ“ÂŤ>Â˜Ăž CitiGroup Real Networks The Corcoran Group Sequoia Capital Concur Silvercup Studios Consolidated Edison Smirnoff Cummins Starbucks Corp. eBay Thomson Reuters Electronic Arts Twitter Expedia 6iĂ€Âˆâœ˜ Facebook 6ˆ>Vœ“ General Mills 6Ă•Â?V>˜ Gilt Groupe Xerox Goldman Sachs Zynga "Ă›iÀÊ£ääʓ>Â?ÂœĂ€ĂŠLĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜iĂƒĂƒiĂƒĂŠwÂ?i`ĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠ>“ˆVĂ•ĂƒĂŠLĂ€ÂˆivĂŠ>Ă€}Ă•ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠLĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜iĂƒĂƒĂŠV>ĂƒiĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ ÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂŒĂ•Ă€Â˜ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ*Ă€ÂœÂŤÂœĂƒÂˆĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠnĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ-Ă•ÂŤĂ€i“iĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒĂŠV>Ăƒi]ĂŠ ÂœÂ?Â?ˆ˜}ĂƒĂœÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠĂ›°ĂŠ*iÀÀÞ°ĂŠ

In Their Own Words: iÀ V>½ÃÊV À« À>Ì ÃÊ i>À i`Ê long ago that equality is just good business and is the right thing to do.” Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs and Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury

“Our company has a lengthy history of leading and supporting policies that promote equality and inclusion. This « ÀÌ> ÌÊ i} à >Ì ÊQ7>à }Ì ½ÃÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊiµÕ> ÌÞÊL RÊ ÃÊ> } i`ÊÜ Ì Ê-Ì>ÀLÕV ÃÊLÕà iÃÃÊ«À>VÌ ViÃÊ> `ÊÕ« `ÃÊ our belief in the equal treatment of partners. We are deeply dedicated to embracing diversity and treating one another with respect and dignity, and remain committed to providing an inclusive, supportive, and safe work environment for all of our partners.” - Kalen Holmes, ÝiVÕÌ ÛiÊ6 ViÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ Ê*>ÀÌ iÀÊ,ià ÕÀViÃÊ vÊStarbucks

“The spirit of these bills is consistent with our longstanding employment practices.”

- Mary Osako, Spokeswoman for Amazon

“At Microsoft we pride ourselves on our products and services, our brand, and our global reach. But unquestionably, ÕÀÊi « ÞiiÃÊ>ÀiÊ ÕÀÊ}Ài>ÌiÃÌÊ>ÃÃiÌÃ°Ê ÃÊ Ì iÀÊÃÌ>ÌiÃÊÀiV } âiÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊiµÕ> ÌÞ]Ê7>à }Ì ½ÃÊi « ÞiÀÃÊ>ÀiÊ>ÌÊ>Ê disadvantage if we cannot offer a similar, inclusive environment to our talented employees, our top recruits and their families. Employers in the technology sector face an unprecedented national and global competition for top talent. Marriage equality in Washington would put employers here on an equal footing with employers in the six other states that already recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples… This in turn will help us continue to compete for talent.” - Brad Smith, General Counsel to Microsoft

“Anything that makes Indiana less inclusive and less welcoming for our current employees and for our future i « ÞiiÃÊ > iÃÊ ÌÊ ÀiÊ` vwVÕ ÌÊv ÀÊ Õ ÃÊÌ ÊV «iÌi°

- Mark Osowick, Recruiting Director for Cummins, speaking about a potential ban on same-sex marriage in Indiana

At the end of the day, marriage equality will come: At the endthrough of the day, marriage partly through the courts; partly the legislative equality partly through thewill courts; process. Morewill andcome: more community leaders offer partly legislative More their support, andthrough somedaythe soon gays and process. lesbians across and more community will offer America will be able to chooseleaders to get married, ortheir not. support, and someday gays and Which side of historysoon do you want to lesbians be on?” Bernard Whitman, across America will be able to choose get i` >Ê i Ì>Ì ÀÊ> `Ê*Àià `i ÌÊ vÊWhitman Insight Strategies

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

|7

Marriage Equality:

FAIR TO FAMILIES, GOOD FOR BUSINESS, GREAT FOR ILLINOIS FINANCIAL IMPACT- Allowing same-sex couples to marry will have positive effects on the Illinois economy and tax revenues. Should marriage equality become law in Illinois, The Williams Institute projects additional revenue of up to $103 million in spending over three years just from weddings by Illinois residents. The study estimates Ì >ÌÊÌ iÊÃÌ>Ìi½ÃÊÜi`` }ÊLÕà iÃÃÊÜ Õ `ÊÃiiÊ> Ê VÀi>ÃiÊLÞÊfÇ{Ê Ê> `Ê> Ê VÀi>ÃiÊ vÊfÓ Ê Ê ÊÌ ÕÀ Ã Ê iÝ«i ` ÌÕÀiÃÊ >`iÊLÞÊ ÕÌ v Ì Ü Ê}ÕiÃÌðÊ/ Ì> ÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ> `Ê V> ÊÌ>ÝÊÀiÛi ÕiÊÜ Õ `ÊÀ ÃiÊLÞÊfn°xÊ ]Ê V Õ` }Ê> Ê estimated $1-2 million in local sales taxes. ECONOMIC PULL- According to Forbes, if marriage equality was legal nationwide, there would be an estimated f£È°nÊL Ê>``i`ÊÌ ÊÌ iÊ >Ì ½ÃÊiV ÞÊvÀ ÊÃ> i ÃiÝÊÜi`` }Ã°Ê BROAD NEED- VV À` }ÊÌ ÊÌ iÊ >ÌiÃÌÊVi ÃÕÃ]ÊÌ iÀiÊ>ÀiÊ ÛiÀÊÈxä]äääÊÃ> i ÃiÝÊV Õ« iÃÊ ÊÌ iÊ1 Ìi`Ê-Ì>ÌiÃ°Ê ÃÊ ÃÊ iÊÌ Ê> ÃÌÊ{ä]äääÊ vÊÌ iÃiÊV Õ« iÃ]Ê>L ÕÌÊÓ£¯Ê vÊÜ Ê>ÀiÊÀ> à }ÊV `Ài ° GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY- -> i ÃiÝÊV Õ« iÃÊ ÛiÊ Ê> ÊÀi} ÃÊ vÊ Ã]Ê> `ÊÌ iÀiÊ>ÀiÊ{{ÊV Ì iÃÊÌ À Õ} ÕÌÊÌ iÊ ÃÌ>ÌiÊÌ >ÌÊ>ÀiÊ iÊÌ ÊxäÊ ÀÊ ÀiÊÃ> i ÃiÝÊV Õ« iÃÊi>V °

JUST THE FACTS UÊÊÊ/ iÊÃi v `i Ì wi`Ê1°-°Ê /Ê« «Õ >Ì Ê ÊÓä£äÊ ÃÊ£xÊÌ Ê£ÈÊ Ê«iÀà Ã]ÊÜ Ê >ÛiÊ>ÊV L i`Ê«ÕÀV >à }Ê « ÜiÀÊiÝVii` }ÊfÇ{ÎÊL °Ê UÊÊÊ }ÊÃ> i ÃiÝÊV Õ« iÃÊÜ Ì ÊL Ì Ê«>ÀÌ iÀÃÊ ÊÌ iÊ >L ÀÊv ÀVi]Ê i` > Ê ÕÃi `Ê V iÊ ÃÊà } wV> Ì ÞÊ } iÀÊ ­f {]äää®ÊÌ > Ê> }Ê iÌiÀ ÃiÝÕ> ÊV Õ« iÃÊ­fnÈ]äää®°Ê UÊÊÊ À Õ `Ê{È¯Ê vÊ«i « iÊ ÊÃ> i ÃiÝÊV Õ« iÃÊ >ÛiÊV i}iÊ`i}ÀiiÃ]ÊV «>Ài`ÊÌ ÊÕ `iÀÊ i Ì À`Ê vÊ«i « iÊ Ê heterosexual couples. UÊÊÊ/ iÊ1°-°Ê i ÃÕÃÊ ÕÀi>ÕÊ> `ÊÌ iÊ1ÀL> Ê ÃÌ ÌÕÌiÊÀi« ÀÌ\ rÊÇÈ¯Ê vÊ /Ê ` Û `Õ> ÃÊ >ÛiÊ> Õ> Ê ÕÃi `Ê V iÃÊ>L ÛiÊÌ iÊ >Ì > Ê>ÛiÀ>}i° rÊÎä¯Ê vÊ /Ê ` Û `Õ> ÃÊ >ÛiÊ> Ê> Õ> Ê V iÊ>L ÛiÊf£ää]äää UÊÊn£¯Ê vÊ /Ê iÀ V> ÃÊ>ÀiÊ i ÞÊÌ ÊV à `iÀÊLÀ> `ÃÊÌ >ÌÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊ «À wÌÃÊ ÀÊV>ÕÃiÃÊ « ÀÌ> ÌÊÌ ÊÌ i °Ê UÊÊÊnn¯Ê vÊ iÃL > Ê> `Ê}>ÞÊ>`Õ ÌÃÊ> `ÊÇä¯Ê vÊ iÌiÀ ÃiÝÕ> ÃÊ>ÀiÊ i ÞÊÌ ÊV à `iÀÊ>ÊLÀ> `ÊÌ >ÌÊ ÃÊ Ü ÊÌ Ê«À Û `iÊ iµÕ> ÊÜ À « >ViÊLi iwÌÃÊv ÀÊ> Ê vÊÌ i ÀÊi « ÞiiÃ]Ê V Õ` }Ê iÃL > ÃÊ> `Ê}>ÞÃ°Ê UÊÊÊ VV À` }ÊÌ Ê Õ ÌÞÊ >À iÌ }Ê V°]ÊÌ ÀiiÊ ÕÌÊ vÊv ÕÀÊ /Ê ` Û `Õ> ÃÊ >ÛiÊV > }i`ÊLÀ> `ÃÊÜ i Ê>Ê company has exhibited pro LGBT support. UÊÊÊ ÊÌ iÊ iÝÌÊÈÊ Ì ÃÊ ÕÃÌÊ }Ê>ÌÊ iÃL > Ê> `Ê}>ÞÊ>`Õ ÌÃ]ÊΣ¯ÊiÝ«iVÌÊÌ i ÀÊ ÕÃi `½ÃÊw > V > ÊV ` Ì ÊÌ ÊLiÊ LiÌÌiÀ]ÊV «>Ài`ÊÜ Ì ÊÓ{¯Ê vÊ iÌiÀ ÃiÝÕ> Ê>`Õ ÌðÊÊ UÊÊÊ Ý«ÀiÃÃÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊv ÀÊ /ÊiµÕ> ÌÞ]Ê V Õ` }Êi ` ÀÃi i ÌÊ vÊ >ÀÀ >}iÊiµÕ> ÌÞÊv ÀÊ iÃL > Ê> `Ê}>ÞÊV Õ« iÃ]Ê sends a positive and unequivocal message to LGBT employees and customers and makes an important statement on diversity and inclusion.

8|

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

* Ì V> Ê i>`iÀÃÊ-Õ«« ÀÌ }ÊÊ MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Barack Obama *Àià `i ÌÊ vÊÌ i United States (Democrat)

Dick Cheney Joe Biden 6 Vi *Àià `i ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ United States (Democrat)

Bill Clinton v À iÀÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ vÊ the United States (Democrat)

v À iÀÊ6 ViÊ*Àià `i ÌÊ of the United States (Republican)

Pat Quinn Rahm Emanuel Mayor of Chicago (Democrat)

Governor of Illinois (Democrat)

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

|9

* Ì V> Ê i>`iÀÃÊ-Õ«« ÀÌ }ÊÊ MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Dick Durbin

Judy Baar Topinka

U.S. Senator, Illinois (Democrat)

Mark Kirk

Illinois Comptroller (Republican)

U.S. Senator, Illinois (Republican)

Pat Brady former Illinois Republican *>ÀÌÞÊ > À

10 |

Michael Madigan John Cullerton Illinois Senate *Àià `i ÌÊ (Democrat)

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives (Democrat)

AN OPEN LETTER FROM ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADERS ON THE FREEDOM TO MARRY > ÞÊv>VÌ ÀÃÊ} Ê Ì ÊVÀi>Ì }Ê>ÊÃÌ>Ìi½ÃÊLÕà iÃÃÊi Û À i Ì°Ê*iÀ >«ÃÊ ÃÌÊ « ÀÌ> ÌÊ ÃÊ>ÊÃÌ>Ìi½ÃÊ ability to attract top talent from around the world. Since human capital drives innovation and growth, a state must foster an environment where people want to live. To be competitive, a state must create an equitable, fair and respectful environment for all of its citizens. For this reason – among others – it is vitally important that Illinois lawmakers enact marriage equality soon. Marriage equality would strengthen the workforces of Illinois employers, who know there is no substitute for employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Companies must understand a changing marketplace and be able to connect with their customers; having a diverse workforce ÃÊ«>ÀÌÊ vÊÌ >Ì°Ê/ >̽ÃÊ iÊÀi>Ã Ê > ÞÊi « ÞiÀÃÊ >ÛiÊ>` «Ìi`Ê ` ÃVÀ >Ì Ê« V iÃÊ> `Ê vviÀÊ` iÃÌ VÊ«>ÀÌ iÀÊLi iwÌð >ÀÀ >}iÊiµÕ> ÌÞÊ«À ÌiÃÊiV VÊ`iÛi « i Ì]ÊÌ °Ê VV À` }ÊÌ ÊÌ iÊ1 Ê-V Ê vÊ >ܽÃÊ Williams Institute, allowing same-sex couples to marry would generate between $39 million and fÇÓÊ Ê ÊÀiÛi ÕiÃÊv ÀÊ ÃÊLÕà iÃÃiÃ]ÊVÀi>Ì }Êf{°xÊ ÊÌ ÊfnÊ Ê Ê iÜÊÃ> iÃÊ> `Ê lodging tax revenues over three years. The American people are increasingly supportive of marriage equality, with a majority believing same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. We agree with them. States with the metro areas of New York City, Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore have already legalized marriage equality. Here in the Midwest, Iowa and Minnesota have granted full marriage equality. Illinois simply cannot afford to be less competitive than other states. / iÊ ÃÊ i} à >ÌÕÀiÊÃ Õ `Ê>VÌÊ Ü°Ê Ì½ÃÊÌ iÊÀ } ÌÊÌ }Êv ÀÊ Ã°Ê

To join the long list of signatories of this open letter, to endorse the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, or to discuss marriage equality further please contact Equality Illinois.

Equality Illinois 17 North State Street, Suite 1020 Chicago, Illinois 60602 ÇÇÎ {ÇÇ Ç£ÇÎ info@eqil.org. www.eqil.org

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

| 11

© 2013 Equality Illinois

µÕ> ÌÞÊ ÃÊ ÃÊÌ iÊÃÌ>Ìi½ÃÊ `iÃÌÊ> `Ê >À}iÃÌÊ À}> â>Ì ÊÃiVÕÀ }]Ê`ivi ` }]Ê and protecting equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Equality Illinois 17 North State Street, Suite 1020 Chicago, Illinois 60602 ÇÇÎ {ÇÇ Ç£ÇÎ info@eqil.org. www.eqil.org

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.