Obama Applauds Illinois Legislature

President Barack Obama is praising the passage of same-sex marriage legislation in his home state of Illinois.   Obama, who served in the Illinois state Senate, released a statement saying he
was ``overjoyed for all the committed couples in Illinois.''
 
The president is commending members of the Legislature for approaching the
issue in an ``open and fair way.'' He says the nation's journey is not complete
until gay men and women are treated equally under the law.
 
Same-sex marriage legislation passed the state House on Tuesday, nearly nine
months the Senate approved it. The vote comes on the heels of the U.S. Senate's
advancement of a workplace anti-discrimination bill for gay, lesbian and
transgender workers.
 
Illinois will be the 15th state to allow gay marriage.