Starting In 2018, Illinois Will Celebrate Barack Obama Day On August 4th

This past August 4th, the 44th President of The United States celebrated his 56th birthday. Starting next year not only will the day mark the birth date of Barack Obama, but in Illinois it will be an official holiday.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner officially signed Senate Bill 55 which led to the creation of the special day. Along with creating the holiday, the bill also sang the praises of the first African-American President saying: 

 ​“…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.”

While the day will be a official holiday, Rauner has said that Barack Obama Day wouldn’t serve as a “formal holiday with paid, forced time off,” the day will solely be herald as a time “of acknowledgment and celebration.”

Formal holiday or not, the acknowledgement is much deserved. Now the only question is, when do we get Michelle Obama Day?