CHICAGO (AP) – To loud cheers and a standing ovation from some 150 gay rights supporters, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a new law protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination.

Flanked by more than two-dozen lawmakers and community activists, many of whom said they worked for decades to convince lawmakers to pass the measure, Blagojevich described the new law as a moral imperative.

“What we’re doing today is older than scripture: Love thy neighbor,” Blagojevich told the audience, many of whom held up small, rainbow-printed Pride flags. “It’s what Jesus said when he gave his sermon on the mount: ‘Do unto others what you would have others do unto you.’”

Opponents have argued that the new law is the first step toward legalization of same-sex marriage and would infringe on the rights of churches and civic groups to oppose homosexuality on moral grounds.

The law adds “sexual orientation” to the existing state law that protects people from bias based on race, religion or other traits. It allows people to file complaints with the Illinois Department of Human Rights if they believe they were denied a job, housing, public accommodation or credit because of their sexual orientation.

Illinois joins 13 other states and the District of Columbia to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation. Local gay rights ordinances across Illinois already protected nearly half of the state’s population from discrimination, according to state Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago, sponsor of the bill.

Arthur Ostry of Chicago said he is glad that other gays and lesbians around the state will enjoy the same protection against discrimination that he has had for years under city and Cook County ordinances.

“I think this is just for the general betterment of society, the recognition that we’re all humans,” Ostry said while attending the ceremonial signing.

Sen. Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton, who voted against the bill, said he is concerned that the law does not allow a church to turn down a job applicant because he or she is gay.

“Under this bill, the church won’t be able to say to a homosexual, ‘Based on our view of scripture and our moral objections, we don’t want to hire you,’” Roskam said.

In a statement, the Illinois Family Institute said the new law ultimately could force state and federal courts to choose between the ban on discrimination against gays and lesbians and constitutional protection of religious freedom.

Discrimination complaints can be made in writing, by phone or in person to the department within 180 days of the alleged violation, according to the governor’s office.

Versions of the bill passed the House several times over the past decade but failed to get past the Senate, which approved the measure 30-27 on Jan. 10. The House passed the measure 65-51 the next day.