Illinois Business Leaders Make Plea for Marriage Equality

Business leaders including Laura Ricketts call for marriage equality.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

January 14 2013 6:15 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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A group of business leaders signed an open letter to Illinois's general assembly urging the passage of marriage equality legislation.

Fred Eychaner, chairman of the Newsweb Corp., and Laura Ricketts, the out co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, signed the letter. Google, Orbitz Worldwide, and Groupon also urged action, ThinkProgress reports.

"Marrige equality would strengthen the workforces of Illinois employers, who know there is no substitute for employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences," read part of that letter. "Companies must understand a changing marketplace and be able to connect with their customers; having a diverse workforce is part of that. That's one reason many employers have adopted nondiscrimination policies and offer domestic partner benefits."

The letter also said marriage legislation would bring a financial windfall to the state. Read more here.