The signing of historic legislation making Juneteenth (June 19th) an official state holiday in Illinois took place on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.  

The legislation clarifies that Juneteenth will be a paid holiday for state workers and public education professionals when June 19 falls on a weekday. Given that June 19 falls on a Sunday in 2022, the first paid state holiday for Juneteenth will be in 2023.

House Bill 3922 is effective January 1, 2022.

Governor's June 16, 2021 News Release is available here.

UCCI Legal Counsel Memorandum on state/federal law is available here.

June 19th becomes a Federal Holiday

On Tuesday, June 13, 2021, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing June 19th as a legal public holiday. 

Following passage of the legislation by the House of Representatives, the Juneteenth National Independence Act was signed into law by President Biden on Thursday, June 17, 2021.