Ill. state Sen. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago) is stepping down in January after serving 15 years in the Illinois Legislature.

Ronen, whose district is centered in Chicago’s heavily gay Edgewater neighborhood, said she hopes to remain involved in government and politics but doesn’t have a new job lined up yet.

Ronen told the Associated Press in Springfield she just feels it’s time to go, especially after months of bitter disagreement and gridlock in Springfield. She said this year felt like three ordinary years.

Ronen has been one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s most consistent legislative allies. She was chief Senate sponsor of the landmark bill passed in 2005 that outlawed discrimination against GLBTs in employment, housing, public accommodations and credit in Illinois. Advocates credited her support for the bill as being crucial to its passage.

“We would not have a gay rights bill in the state of Illinois if not for Sen. Ronen’s leadership,” said Rick Garcia, political director at Equality Illinois. “She made it happen. She’s served her district well and served our community well. We’ll miss her and we know she’ll go on to do more great things.”

Ronen, 62, began serving in the Illinois House in 1993. She was appointed to a Senate seat in 2000.

—Staff and wire reports