'Barack Obama Day' Is An Official Holiday In Illinois

Barack Obama now has his own state holiday.

In a report from NBC Chicago, "Barack Obama Day" was signed into law by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday, with the state holiday being celebrated across Illinois on August 4 (Obama's birthday) every year starting in 2018.

READ: Chicago Lawmakers Want To Make Barack Obama's Birthday A State Holiday

The bill states that the holiday will be "observed throughout the State as a day set apart to honor the 44th President of the United States of America who began his career serving the People of Illinois in both the Illinois State Senate and the United States Senate, and dedicated his life to protecting the rights of Americans and building bridges across communities."

"Barack Obama Day" has been in the making since last year when Democratic Representatives Andre Thapedi tried to make the commemoration into a state law but it was stalled after some lawmakers voiced concern that other Illinois presidents, like Ronald Reagan, do not have similar holidays. Lawmakers also noted the economic cost of closing state buildings on the holiday and the impact of workers having the day off.

READ: Barack Obama May Soon Have A Highway Named In His Honor

Illinois lawmakers have also been trying to name I-55 from East St. Louis to Chicago after the former POTUS.

The Regulation, Roads and Bridges Committee have reportedly approved a joint resolution to change the name of the highway to the "Barack Obama Presidential Expressway." Now that the bill won by a vote of 6-5, the piece of legislation is now headed to the calendar order of resolutions.

Source: nbcchicago.com