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* UPDATED x1 * What’s happening with Juneteenth?

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* Mark Palmer asks: “Any insight on which IL Bill re: Juneteenth will @GovPritzker sign this week (SB1965 or HB3922)? Or is there a process where they are combined, or otherwise?”

The differences between the two bills include the effective dates and the days off if June 19th falls on a Sunday or Saturday. From SB1965…

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that Juneteenth National Freedom Day shall be observed on June 19 of each year as a holiday throughout the State (currently, not a holiday and is observed on the third Saturday of June of each year). Provides that when June 19 falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be held and considered the holiday. … Effective immediately.

HB3922…

Provides that when June 19 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, neither the preceding Friday nor the following Monday shall be held or considered as a paid holiday (rather than the following Monday being considered a holiday). Effective January 1, 2022.

Juneteenth falls on a Saturday this year.

* The only hint the governor’s office gave me was pointing to the Statute on Statutes…

Two or more Acts which relate to same subject matter and which are enacted by the same General Assembly shall be construed together in such manner as to give full effect to each Act except in case of an irreconcilable conflict. In case of an irreconcilable conflict the Act last acted upon by the General Assembly is controlling to the extent of such conflict. The Act last acted upon is determined by reference to the final legislative action taken by either house of the General Assembly

Final passage for SB1965 was May 27th. Final passage for HB3922 was May 31st. So if he signs them both, HB3922 becomes controlling and there will be no Monday off this year and it won’t take effect until next year (when it falls on a Sunday).

*** UPDATE *** Flipped just in time…

Nearly a year to the day after ruling it out as too costly, Mayor Lori Lightfoot declared Monday that Chicago will recognize June 19th, known as Juneteenth, as an official city holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

The mayor’s surprise announcement came during an event at Daley Center Plaza that kicked off a week-long Juneteenth celebration. […]

On Monday, the mayor explained her change of heart just days before Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to sign a bill declaring Juneteenth a state holiday.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 10:44 am

Comments

Great event to celebrate, but as a former state employee I can assure you that no additional vacation days are needed.

Comment by Collinsville Kevin Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 11:43 am
As a current state employee, I can assure you all additional vacation days are needed.

Comment by The 647 Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 11:46 am
He could also veto one of the bills, which Governors have done in the past when identical or similar bills pass the GA.

Comment by Manic Monday Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 11:49 am
The bill would be effective on his signature; however, since in 2022 the 19th of June falls on a Sunday, no Monday holiday for state employees in 2022. Right?

Comment by RichIL Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 11:50 am
There are more than enough state holidays. Making Juneteenth another should have been conditioned upon the elimination of Columbus Day.

Comment by Independent Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 11:52 am
===He could also veto one of the bills===

Well, yeah, but they pointed me to the Statute of Statutes, so I’m think he signs both.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 11:58 am
As a private sector employee, the sooner the state recognizes it as a paid holiday, the sooner my employer will follow. A mid-June day off is fine by me. Make it so.

Comment by City Zen Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 11:59 am
Far more worthy day for a holiday then many that are currently on the books. Can we eliminate another day like Columbus day when Juneteenth is passed? I don’t think you have to connect the two actions but I do think we can lose a holiday or two.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 12:00 pm
To eliminating Columbus Day as a holiday and bringing in Juneteenth, yes, sounds like a fair trade. Juneteenth actually happened, unlike Columbus “discovering” America.

Although I find myself wondering why the date the Emancipation Proclamation was signed wasn’t used, rather than the Texas liberation date. Not all the slaves were freed after the Texas announcement; Delaware and Kentucky remained slave states for several months, until the 13th Amendment banning slavery was ratified.

Comment by thisjustinagain Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 12:54 pm
This is something I always wondered why it was not a holiday, especially in the Land of Lincoln. Glad it finally will be.

I think tieng it to the removal of Columbus Day is a mistake, it would just invite undue unrest amongst those who celebrate it.

Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoodom Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 12:56 pm
Floating holidays come to mind

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 1:38 pm
Fine Holliday and should be used for teaching. I wonder how some cities pick there holidays to let workers off. I know in town I used to live in they did not get Veterans Day off which I thought was wrong. And I think Cook County gets Pulaski day off but not DuPage. And WashDC get Emancipation Day April 16 off. To each his own I guess

Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 2:19 pm
Juneteenth is a delightful word, and an awesome name for a holiday. It makes me happy every time I say it.

Comment by Suburban Mom Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 2:34 pm
This may be the first time Lori Lightfoot saw the writing on the wall.

Comment by SAP Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 4:12 pm
I agree that Juneteenth is a good holiday but there really should be a complete reassessment of state holidays. Do Columbus Day or Election Day need to be state holidays? Should state employees be given a floating holiday that could be used for Juneteenth or Good Friday or whenever the employee chooses?

Comment by MyTwoCents Monday, Jun 14, 21 @ 5:28 pm