Illinois Senate approves HB4323 to establish July 25 as Emmett Till Day with Sen. Ellman's support

Sen. Laura Ellman (D-21st) supported HB4323 in the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, casting a Yes vote to designate July 25 as Emmett Till Day statewide. The Illinois Senate reported the bill passed unanimously, 59-0.

The bill's official summary states: "COMMEMORATIVE DAY-EMMETT TILL."

The summary below is drawn directly from the bill text, with some explanation to enhance clarity on the bill’s intentions.

This legislation revises the State Commemorative Dates Act to recognize July 25 each year as Emmett Till Day. The day will be marked across Illinois to pay tribute to and remember Emmett Till, but it will not be a legal holiday nor compel any mandated closures or required observances. The focus is on an annual, statewide acknowledgment of Till’s historical impact.

HB4323 was officially recorded as 'Third Reading - Passed.'

Ellman earned her BS from Grinnell College in 1987.

The Democrat has represented the 21st Senate District in the Illinois State Senate since 2019, succeeding Michael Connelly.

Illinois legislation undergoes a multi-stage process, starting with introduction in the House or Senate, followed by committee hearings, floor consideration, chamber votes, and ultimately review by the governor for enactment or veto. The General Assembly functions on a biennial basis, and though thousands of bills are introduced per session, a much smaller proportion are ultimately signed into law.