President Barack Obama is urging the general assembly in his home state of Illinois to legalize gay marriage, ahead of a vote expected to take place in January. White House spokesman Shin Inouye told the Chicago Sun-Times that Obama does not often get involved with state legislatures, but that this is an issue he feels strongly about. “His personal view is that it’s wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, and want to marry, from doing so,” said Inouye. The legislation, formally the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, is led by state Sen. Heather Steans and state Rep. Greg Harris. It will likely be put up for a vote in January.