Google, Groupon and Orbitz are among
the companies urging Illinois lawmakers to legalize gay marriage.
“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,”
the business leaders say in an open
letter to lawmakers.
“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 is a part of that.
That's one reason many employers have adopted non-discrimination
policies and offer domestic partner benefits.”
“Marriage equality promotes economic
development, too. According to the UCLA School of Law's Williams
Institute, allowing same-sex couples to marry would generate between
$39 million and $72 million in revenues for Illinois businesses,
creating $4.5 million to $8 million in new sales and lodging tax
revenues over three years.”
Also signing onto the letter are the
heads of Navistar International, Johnson Publishing and Morningstar
Inc. Laura Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, and Fred
Eychaner, chairman of the Newsweb Corp., also signed. Ricketts and
Eychaner are both openly gay.
(Related: Greg
Harris: Illinois on “fast track” to legalize gay marriage.)