SPRINGFIELD (AP) - After years of debate, the Springfield City Council has approved a bill that expands the city's nondiscrimination ordinance to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
The council voted 6-3 Monday to pass the stronger of two proposed ordinances on the issue. The change, which prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations, takes effect immediately.
The weaker bill would have provided protections for housing and requested more study on discrimination in employment and public accommodations.
Calvin Morrow, spokesman for an opposition group called Springfield Citizens United, said an effort would begin immediately to gather signatures for a referendum petition that, if successful, would put the issue to a public vote.