It’s Pride Month, and Illinois once again ranked as one of the best states for LGBTQ+ residents to live in.
Out Leadership published its 2026 State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index, laying out which states are championing supportive policies and which are rolling back LGBTQ+ rights. What started as a guide for business leaders has become a directory for some LGBTQ+ individuals of where they should and shouldn’t live and work.
The gap between the top and bottom states is widening, with the same states occupying the top and bottom tiers year after year.
Out Leadership’s founder and CEO Todd Sears told USA TODAY overall acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in America has experienced a steep decline, reversing many of the civil rights advances that increased the well-being and safety of the LGBTQ+ population.
Index finds declining LGBTQ+ support in America
The national average score in the index has fallen for four consecutive years now, dipping to 60.87 in 2026.
More than half of the states (26) scored less than 60 out of 100, with the middle ground quickly disappearing between the top and bottom tiers.
This year, Out Leadership expanded its index with 12 new indicators to gauge the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ policies such as bathroom access restrictions, pronoun and name-use prohibitions and restrictions on adult gender-affirming care.
The downward shift in LGBTQ+ acceptance largely started in 2020, with the recession of legal protections and transgender rights. This trend spilled into the corporate world, with companies lessening their outward support of the LGBTQ+ community.
How did Illinois rank?
Illinois ranked fifth in the new index, with an overall score of 90.92 out of 100. The Prairie State received an 87.47 out of 100 on the old scale, down from 88.47 last year.
The new scale has a maximum of 160 points, which was normalized to a 100-point score for comparability with last year’s score.
Here’s a breakdown of Illinois’ 2026 score:
Illinois’ positive growth from the old to the new scale is largely attributed to the state’s library protections, shield laws protecting those involved in gender-affirming care and defense of LGBTQ+ protections by the attorney general.
Overall, Illinois is classified as a “High Tier” state for the estimated 4.3% of its adult population who identify as LGBTQ+. It also scored the highest in the Midwest.
Pritzker delivers message about 2026 LGBTQ+ Index
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker addressed the 2026 index in a video statement.
“Building on a rich history of pride and progress, Illinois continues to grow as a haven of equity, safety and opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community,” he said in part. “These new rankings capture not only our state’s continued rise as a champion for equity and inclusion, but also as a job creator that welcomes LGBTQ+ workers and their families.”
Pritzker went on to cite Illinois’ protective laws for LGBTQ+ residents and the work still required under the Trump administration, concluding his statement by wishing residents a happy Pride Month.
Highest-scoring states for LGBTQ+
Lowest-scoring states for LGBTQ+
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois leads Midwest in LGBTQ+ protections, ranks fifth in US
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall and Jessica Guynn, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
