POLITICS

Competitors wooing Indiana businesses over 'religious freedom' law

Shari Rudavsky
shari.rudavsky@indystar.com

Chicago and Virginia are recruiting Indiana businesses concerned about their home state's passage of the religious freedom act to relocate to their areas.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel have reached out to Indiana companies after last week's passage of the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which many fear could lead to discrimination against gays and lesbians.

McAuliffe, a Democrat, has penned an open letter, inviting Indiana businesses "to take advantage of Virginia's open, inclusive and thriving business environment."

The letter goes on to tout Virginia's low taxes, business-friendly laws and many college campuses as well as noting that the state is home to the Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency.

But, the letter goes on to say, "there is another quality that sets our Commonwealth apart from some other states: In Virginia, we do not discriminate against our friends and neighbors, particularly those who are supporting local businesses and generating economic activity."

"So if recent events have led you to reevaluate your business relationship with your current home state, I hope you will visit YesVirginia.org and contact me personally about the opportunities our Commonwealth can offer," McAuliffe writes. "Thousands of firms are benefiting from our strategic location, our unparalleled quality of life, our mild winters and our open and inclusive business environment. Come join them."

Virginia has a version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act but McAuliffe signed an executive order right after taking office in 2014 that bans discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion and sexual orientation.

Illinois also has religious freedom legislation on its books as well as laws to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination.

Emanuel's office said Monday that the mayor sent letters to about a dozen businesses in Indiana, saying that the act is wrong and urging Indiana business owners to "consider Chicago as a place to move and grow."

Businesses can't "succeed in the global economy if you discriminate against your residents," Emanuel said

Cincinnati Council member Chris Seelbach, the first openly gay politician elected in that city, also took advantage of the hoopla over the Indiana law to reach out to businesses. In a letter he Tweeted last week, he notes that Cincinnati was recently named one of the most LGBT inclusive cities in the country and "we have taken every necessary step to make our laws fully inclusive."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Call Shari Rudavsky at (317) 444-6354. Follow her on Twitter: @srudavsky.