SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery on June 19, 1865, would become a state holiday in Illinois, under a bill which has passed a committee.
“Juneteenth is considered the longest running African-American holiday in the United States, and is considered the second American Independence Day," said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). "Juneteenth is observed to commemorate the abolishment of slavery throughout the United States and territories in 1865."
The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), passed unanimously after Lightford rebuffed questions from Sen. Jil (cq) Tracy (R-Quincy) about personnel costs for another holiday and whether Juneteenth could simply bump a lesser holiday from the state calendar.
Lightford was not interested in that suggestion, just because state employees would have to be paid extra.
Sen. Tracy: Since it is going to be on par with the Fourth of July, is there maybe another state holiday we could back off of?
"I don't see it being on par with the Fourth of July," Lightford said.
Sen. Tracy: I thought you said it was our second Independence Day? That's what I was referring to.
"Pretty much, but for black people. I don't know anyone else who's enslaved to the detriment of black Americans by the hands of other human beings," Lightford said.
Lightford said Juneteenth has grown from simply the celebration of the end of slavery into a festival of arts, culture, and the impact of the civil rights movement upon the nation.
SB 1965 has passed the Senate Executive Committee.
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