It's official: Obama wins Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - It was no surprise that Illinois' electors cast all 21 of the state's electoral votes Monday for Chicago Democrat Barack Obama.

The state's Electoral College members came together at the Capitol to officially cast their votes for president and vice-president. Under the state's system, the candidate who wins Illinois gets all 21 votes whether the victory was by one or a millions votes.

During the brief ceremony in the Illinois Senate chamber where Obama served, delegate Barbara Flynn Currie of Chicago boasted that she has been able to vote for Obama more than the rest of her fellow delegates.

"I voted for him the first time when he ran for state senator in my district," she said.

Currie announced before casting her ballot that she is confident he will work to bring the country together.

Other electors had similar sentiments.

"One hundred years from now I hope we will be known as the land of Lincoln and Obama," said state Rep. Tom Holbrook.

Illinois' electors also cast all 21 votes in favor of Delaware Senator Joe Biden for vice president.