The Illinois General Assembly legislature passed a bill amending the Illinois Human Rights Act on Jan. 11 to protect Illinoisans from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, answering the calls of gay-rights activists throughout the state.

The amendment will provide protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals from discrimination in housing, education and lending. The bill also ensures equal access to public facilities such as hotels and theaters.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich congratulated the members of the Illinois General Assembly for approving legislation.

“This is truly a landmark day in Illinois,” Blagojevich said in a press release. “The legislation sends a clear message that we will not allow our citizens to be discriminated against. I look forward to signing the bill.”

“I think I speak for all of PRIDE when I say we’re relieved that this bill finally passed. It is now the responsibility of LGBT students to learn how this bill affects their lives, and it will be the job of PRIDE to help them achieve this goal,” said Jon Monteith, co-president of PRIDE – a LGBT rights group at the University.

But Monteith said he is angry that this bill passed so narrowly in the Senate.

“Richard Winkel, our very own state Senator, voted against it, which is a slap in the face to his LGBT constituents. We’ll be sure to remember that vote during his campaign for re-election,” he said.

The bill passed with strong bipartisan support in the House.

The Illinois Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also celebrated the signing of the legislature. The ADL met with legislators to advocate the passage of the act and went on record supporting the bill.

“As an organization that advocates on behalf of the targets of discrimination, ADL applauds this legislation, which will extend fundamental civil rights to thousands more of our fellow Illinoisans,” said Lonnie Nasatir, the ADL Regional Director. “This act sends a strong message that discrimination against someone because of his or her sexual orientation is wrong and is unacceptable in Illinois.”

Lynn Sprout, a 53-year-old Urbana resident who was unfairly let go from her nursing job because she was a lesbian, said she was really excited that the amendment passed.

“This will helps gay and lesbians out there who have been facing discrimination for a long time,” Sprout said. “The act was finally passed as it was trying to be passed for the past 30 years. The fact that it was finally passed is great.”

Sprout won a highly publicized civil suit against her former employer, Carle Foundation Hospital, as it was determined she had been discriminated against based on her sexual orientation. She is currently waiting for the settlement hearing to take place.