Illinois Democrats Mark Juneteenth, Highlight State Holiday’s Fifth Anniversary (Springfield, IL) – Illinois Democratic leaders are commemorating Juneteenth and the fifth anniversary of the state recognizing the holiday, while also using the occasion to draw contrasts with Republicans on issues related to diversity, civil rights and racial equity.
Juneteenth became an official Illinois state holiday in 2021 after legislation approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.
In a statement released Thursday, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez extended Juneteenth wishes to residents across the state and emphasized the party’s commitment to protecting civil rights and promoting inclusion.
“I’m wishing folks across our state a happy Juneteenth,” Hernandez said. “This past year and a half, we’ve seen MAGA Republicans dedicate themselves to taking us backwards. Illinois Democrats across the delegation—from Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Governor Pritzker to county chairs and grassroots volunteers—are committed to ensuring bigotry is not tolerated and our progress is not lost.”
Democratic State Central Committeeman Maurice West, who also serves as a state representative from Rockford, reflected on the significance of Juneteenth and the efforts that led to its designation as a state holiday.
“As part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, I’m proud to have helped make today a state holiday five years ago,” West said. “Juneteenth is a day that recognizes the scars of the past while asking us to find joy in the present.”
West said the holiday serves as both a celebration and a reminder of ongoing challenges facing Black communities, including economic opportunity and access to health care.
“Every year, I see how communities in my district embody that spirit of hope and resilience, while recognizing that we have a long way to go for economic empowerment, health care access and much more,” he said.
The Democratic Party of Illinois also used the holiday to criticize the Illinois Republican Party and several Republican figures, accusing them of remaining silent on issues involving racial discrimination and civil rights.
The party pointed to a recent cross-burning incident in Chicago’s Grant Park, concerns about voting rights protections and the appearance of controversial online personality Nick Shirley at an Illinois Republican event.
Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It became a federal holiday in 2021 and is recognized in Illinois as a state holiday.
Across Illinois, elected officials, community organizations, volunteers and residents are marking the occasion with celebrations, educational events and community gatherings honoring Black history, culture and the ongoing pursuit of equality.
Illinois Democrats Mark Juneteenth, Highlight State Holiday’s Fifth Anniversary
