Despite being born in Hawaii, former President Barack Obama calls Illinois his home state, where his family still owns a house in Chicago.
Obama’s political career began in the Land of Lincoln, but Illinois just decided against honoring one of their most famous sons.
Earlier this week, legislation was introduced to make August 4th, Barack Obama’s birthday, an official state holiday, but the legislation came up 6 votes short in the Illinois House.
A bill observing former US Pres. Obama’s birthday fails to pass Illinois legislature, the Chicago Tribune reports https://t.co/qRA4AV1vb9 pic.twitter.com/tHSs6iikYS
— CNN International (@cnni) March 22, 2017
The Chicago Tribune notes that under the proposed legislation “state facilities and schools would close each year on Aug. 4, Obama’s birthday.”
More from the article, explaining the objections to Obama’s birthday becoming a state holiday:
Republicans raised a variety of concerns, from the economic impact of closing state buildings on holidays to the “inconsistent way” presidents from Illinois are recognized. They noted that Tampico-born Republican Ronald Reagan does not have an Illinois holiday in his honor.
Still, they tried to rise above partisan differences, with several GOP members saying they could support the measure if it was changed from a state holiday to a more informal day of recognition, in which schools and state buildings would stay open. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget office estimates state holidays cost $3.2 million in personnel expenses, with another $16 million in lost productivity.
“The concept you are working on here, giving President Obama a day, I think is deserved. I think it’s appropriate, but I have a couple of questions about how we are doing it,” said Rep. Steve Andersson, R-Geneva.
Andersson said the state could not afford the budget hit given its current financial crisis, and he said he didn’t believe an official holiday was needed to recognize Obama’s impact on Illinois. Andersson contended that most state holidays have lost their true meaning, instead becoming a day more celebrated for picnics and barbecues.
Democrats have sizable majorities in both houses of the Illinois General Assembly, with a 67-51 advantage in the House and a 37-22 majority in the Senate, but were unable to make Obama’s birthday an official holiday.
Illinois is one of the most liberal states in America, with Obama winning his home state by more than 16% in 2012 and 25% in 2008, but their refusal to give the former president a state holiday is a major embarrassment to his legacy.
Do you agree with Illinois that Barack Obama shouldn’t receive an official state holiday? Share your thoughts below!
The last thing Illinois needs is another paid holiday for state workers. The state is bankrupt. Besides, we already have Presidents Day.
obama was NOT born in Hawaii and there is no birth certificate to be found in Hawaii. He was born in Kenya, went to muslim schools in Indonesia, moved to Hawaii and came here as a foreign student and NEVER left. That makes him an illegal immigrant and NOT an American citizen. obama should not be honored in any way. He belongs behind bars.
Obama must be the most inept President ever…he did nothing inspired no-one and was one massive disappointment….a complete waste of time….and I was so excited when he became President….he seems to have left a hell of a mess behide him
Question for everyone. What the hell did the Muslim President Obama do to deserve a day named after him? I served the country for 42 years and did not have a day named after me!!!!!!!!!
Yeah you do.
April 1st.
poppDavid, I am sure nrahat would be unwilling steal April 1, YOUR special recognition day, from you.
Congratulations to Illinois legislators who do not care to insult the patriots of the state.
However, until a verifiable certificate of birth for the alias, Barack H. Obama is publicized, his date of birth remains a guess, nor can he be relied on, as he only knows what he was told.
How can we even think of this A Black Muslim jerk from Kenya that destroyed America, I can see if we have a Hanging Day. Who did Hussein pay to get Nobel Peace Prize second day in office.
I am still trying to figure out how he won the Nobel Peace Prize within months after first election. I wish people would stop focusing on his color and see him as a man just like anybody else. The only difference is he is capable of anything: No morals, no conscience, all about him. I know; he is a robot.
correction needed, something like this: Despite being born in Kenya Africa [not Hawaii], the criminal illegal alien usurper Barack Obama calls Illinois his home state, where his family still owns a house in Chicago.
TOO BAD, SO SAD!!!! He has done SO much for Illinois, especially Chicago. Look at how he has improved the crime and welfare of those people.
Until a verifiable certificate of birth is publicized, the date of birth of the alias, Barack H. Obama, is just one of numerous creative lies by the CIA and its affiliates. That The Political Insider lables Illinois as Obama´s “home state” is quite an insult to the patriots of Illinois. The members of the Illinois General Assembly who declined to defraud its citizenry on the 4th of August, annually, are to be congratulated.
Perhaps a retired, CIA operative, one of the genuine patriots who thought (s)he was serving the patriotic interests of the USA upon affiliating, will reveal the genuine identity of the alias known as Barack Hussein Obama.
First of all Obama is not a US citizen, he was not born in Hawaii or any other state in our nation. Secondly he is by far the most corrupt (fake) president ever to set foot in the WH. He has done nothing for our nation or it’s people. If things work out during this investigation the only place he’ll grace are the halls of a prison where he belongs
ONLY THING BO DESERVES IS A JAIL CELL AND A HANGING
What idiot introduced such a rediculous bill to begin with? Are Maxine Waters, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren also Illinois state legislators? This sounds like something those 3 idiots would come up with!
I like this one! I totally agree.
First of all he wasn’t born in America (Hawaii)- he was born in Africa, information that is well known but the dishonest press won’t divulge. Why should such an impostor be honored,and how long is it going to be before the truth about him actually makes the news? His grandmother said she was at his birth in Africa – she didn’t live long after that disclosure.
Erase any thought of this worthless and wicked worm.
I didn’t know that a Traitor Day would be an acceptable state holiday. Why not a Benedict Arnold Day?
The only day that we should honor Oblamer is the day he left the Whitehouse. GOOD RIDDANCE DAY
he doesn’t deserve ANY day in his name…
Perhaps “Worst President Day” would be appropriate. A reminder to all Americans that they need to be more careful who they elect!!! If he had somehow stayed a third term he might have succeeded in completely destroying America. Our future is still in question.
Go TRUMP!!! MAGA!!!