August 4 now designated as Barack Obama Day in Illinois

Today’s date, Aug. 4, will now officially be Barack Obama Day in Illinois starting next year.

That’s because Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday signed into law Senate Bill 25, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously during the spring session.

The date also happens to be the former U.S. president’s and Illinois senator’s birthday. He turned 56 today

While Aug. 4 in future years will be known as Barack Obama Day, it won’t come with a day off. Past efforts to make Obama Day an official state holiday with a paid day off for public employees failed in the General Assembly.

Story by the Illinois News Network. Visit ILNews.org