HB4811 EngrossedLRB102 24966 RJF 34221 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning government.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 1. Findings. The General Assembly finds and 
5declares the following:
6        (1) Irish individuals first came to Illinois in  the 
7    late 18th Century in search of liberty and new 
8    opportunities.
9        (2) From farming to industrial work in cities, the 
10    contributions of Irish in Illinois have been enormous.
11        (3) Cook County is the largest Irish county in the 
12    United States and the State of Illinois is home to over 
13    1,000,000 individuals with Irish ancestry.
14        (4) Due to the large number of Irish-Americans in 
15    Illinois, Chicago is home to one of the largest St. 
16    Patrick's Day celebrations and celebrations of Irish 
17    heritage in the United States.
18        (5) Therefore, given the contributions of 
19    Irish-Americans to both the United States and the State of 
20    Illinois, the General Assembly declares that April 18 of 
21    each year shall be known as Republic of Ireland Day.
 
22    Section 5. The State Commemorative Dates Act is amended  by 
23adding Section 9 as follows:
 
 
 
HB4811 Engrossed- 2 -LRB102 24966 RJF 34221 b

1    (5 ILCS 490/9 new)
2    Sec. 9. Republic of Ireland Day. April 18 of each year is 
3designated as Republic of Ireland Day to be observed 
4throughout the State as a day in recognition of the 
5anniversary of April 18, 1949, the day in which the Republic of 
6Ireland officially declared itself independent from Great 
7Britain, in recognition of the Republic of Ireland and its 
8people, and in recognition of the many Illinoisans of Irish 
9descent who have made a lasting impact upon our State. Each 
10year, within 10 days before Republic of Ireland Day, the 
11Governor shall issue a proclamation announcing the recognition 
12of Republic of Ireland Day, and designate the official events 
13that shall be held in honor of Republic of Ireland Day and the 
14contributions of Illinoisans of Irish descent.
  
 
15    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
16becoming law.