Sen. Seth Lewis supports HB4323 designating July 25 as Emmett Till Day statewide

Sen. Seth Lewis (R-24th) cast his vote in favor of HB4323, legislation that assigns July 25 as Emmett Till Day in Illinois, during the 104th General Assembly session held May 31, 2026, the Illinois Senate reported. The bill received unanimous approval in the Senate with a 59-0 vote.

Described in the official bill documentation as "COMMEMORATIVE DAY-EMMETT TILL," the measure aims to recognize Till’s significance in state history.

The information below outlines and explains the core language of the measure and interprets the provisions for added clarity.

Fundamentally, the bill revises the State Commemorative Dates Act to mark July 25 annually as Emmett Till Day. It encourages statewide recognition and remembrance of Emmett Till, but does not establish a legal holiday, nor does it mandate business closures or specific observances. Instead, it initiates a consistent annual acknowledgment of Till’s legacy throughout Illinois.

The official action listed for HB4323 was 'Third Reading - Passed'.

Lewis earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1991.

Serving as a Republican, Lewis joined the Illinois State Senate in 2023, succeeding former senator Suzy Glowiak as the representative for the state’s 24th District.

Legislation in Illinois undergoes a structured review process. A bill is initiated in either legislative chamber, then considered in committee, moves to floor debate, and must pass both the House and Senate before being sent to the governor for signature or veto. The General Assembly works on a biennial timeline, and while thousands of measures are introduced each cycle, only a select few progress to become law.