IL State Rep. DuBuclet Introduces Legislation to Honor Emmett Till with a Commemorative Holiday in Illinois

CHICAGO – IL State Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation to designate July 25, the birthday of Emmett Till, as a commemorative holiday in Illinois, ensuring his life and legacy remain part of the state’s public memory.

“The murder of Emmett Till and the extraordinary courage of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, forever changed the course of American history,” DuBuclet said. “By allowing the world to see the brutality inflicted on her son, Mamie Till-Mobley forced the nation to confront the reality of racial violence and helped spark the modern Civil Rights Movement. As Congressman John Lewis once said, ‘Emmett Till was my George Floyd.’”

House Bill 4323 would add July 25 to Illinois’ list of commemorative holidays. While the designation would not close state offices, it would encourage schools, municipalities, elected officials, and community organizations to mark the day through education, reflection, and public programming.

Rep. DuBuclet said the measure is especially important at a time when there are active efforts to distort, minimize, or erase pivotal chapters of American history.

“At this moment in our country, we are seeing dangerous attempts to whitewash history and undermine truth,” DuBuclet said. “Emmett Till’s story is American history. It belongs to all of us, and it is our responsibility to preserve it and pass it on to future generations.”