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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
April 19,2017
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a resolution reaffirming a ban on non-essential travel to North Carolina.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago is, and shall remain, a welcoming city for all, espousing the values of tolerance and inclusion, and a commitment to protecting all persons from discrimination regardless of sexuality or gender identity; and
WHEREAS, Chicago has established itself as a national leader in protecting the civil rights and liberties of those in the LGBTQ community, including prohibitions on discrimination on the basis of gender identity in the Human Rights Ordinance and Fair Housing Ordinance, and legislation prohibiting the Police Department from profiling based on gender identity; and
WHEREAS, In February of 2016, Charlotte, North Carolina passed an ordinance that expanded protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including allowing transgender individuals to use the public restroom that corresponds to their gender identity; and
WHEREAS, In response, Governor Pat McCrory, a former mayor of Charlotte, characterized the ordinance as a threat to public safety. The North Carolina General Assembly convened a special session for the sole purpose of undoing Charlotte's anti-discrimination ordinance and barring any other North Carolina governmental body from enacting similar protections; and
WHEREAS, With unusual haste, in a single day the North Carolina General Assembly introduced, twice amended, and passed House Bill 2 by an overwhelming majority vote in its House of Representatives and unanimously in its Senate. On the same day, Governor Pat McCrory signed House Bill 2 into law; and
WHEREAS, This newly enacted law overturned Charlotte's anti-discrimination ordinance, p...
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