Obama's home state of Illinois rejects a holiday in his honor for now

[TexasTowelie]

Former President Barack Obama received a warm reception from his former colleagues in the state legislature when he delivered a speech on the floor of the Illinois House last year, but he didn't get the same support there Tuesday when lawmakers declined to designate his birthday as a state holiday.

Under a new proposal, state facilities and schools would close each year on Aug. 4, Obama's birthday. But opponents said while it might be good to recognize the former president and ex-state lawmaker, people shouldn't get the day off work. The House measure received 54 votes, six votes short of what it needed to be approved and sent to Obama's old stomping grounds in the Illinois Senate.

Sponsoring Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, used a parliamentary move that will keep the measure alive for another try should she gather enough support. A dozen members of the House didn't vote.

"President Barack Obama, he did great work for the state of Illinois and our country, and I believe we need to do our part in preserving that history," Harper said.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-barack-obama-day-met-0322-20170321-story.html

[tirebiter]

1. Obama was born in Hawaii

Attended the same High School I went to.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Well that certainly sucks. Isn't there any other state willing to step up??

Right about now, I'd think they'd be getting in line...

[TexasTowelie]

3. It's probably a bit too early.

However, he was born in Hawaii, then went to college in New York and Massachusetts so there are plenty of blue states that should be ready to jump at the opportunity.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. I'd certainly vote for it here in New York!

Maybe that would mean he'd visit here, LOL. Because we're considered a "blue state," we tend to be overlooked by the candidates.