Washington – Ralph G. Neas, president of People For the American Way, applauded the passage and signing of an Illinois law to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians after years of struggle by equality advocates. The measure was approved by the state House of Representatives on the final day of its session and signed by Governor Rod Blagojevich on January 21.

“The enactment of this law, after more than a decade of committed advocacy, is a major advance in the battle to secure basic human rights for every American. The right to work, to own or rent a home, to use public accommodations or secure credit are vital tools of modern life and should not be denied to anyone on the basis of their sexual orientation. I am grateful to the broad and diverse coalition that worked for so many years to make this bill a law and congratulate Illinois legislators and the Governor for working on a bipartisan basis to approve this landmark legislation.”