Should Obama's Birthday Be An Illinois Holiday?

Should President Barack Obama's birthday be a state holiday?

At least three Illinois Democrats think so. Three pieces of proposed legislation — House Bills 231 and 503 and Senate Bill 55 — would all make the former president's birthday on Aug. 4 an official holiday, according to the State Journal-Register.

The House bills would make "Obama Day" a legal holiday, meaning that state offices and schools would be closed the Monday after Obama's birthday. The Senate bill would create a commemorative holiday — so no school or office closings. If any of the measures pass, "Obama Day" could become official before the 44th president turns 56 this summer.

Rep. Sonya Harper, a Democrat from Chicago and the sponsor of HB 503, called Obama "one of the greatest examples of an American president," likening him to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the Journal-Register reported.

Presidents' Day, a national holiday that now honors all U.S. presidents past and present, was originally intended to recognize Washington's Feb. 22 birthday. This year we'll celebrate it on Feb. 20, with many workers getting a day off in honor of the holiday.

In Illinois, Lincoln's birthday is a public holiday, celebrated on Feb. 13 (a day after the late president's actual birthday).

Sen. Jacqueline Collins, a Democrat from Chicago, the sponsor of SB 55, told the Journal-Register she has no problem honoring Lincoln — a Republican — so she hopes Republicans will feel the same about Obama. "There should be reciprocity between parties, Obama belongs to Illinois, and Illinois belongs to all people, Republicans and Democrats," Collins said.

HB 231 is sponsored by Rep. Andre Thapedi, a Democrat from Ashburn.

If either of the House bills pass, "Obama Day" could become the state's first new holiday in 40 years, DNAinfo reported. The last one — Casimir Pulaski Day — was created in 1977.

So what do you think? Should Aug. 4 be "Obama Day"?

Image via Patch archive