Lawmakers in Chicago are working to bring some good will to the people of the state by proposing a legislation that would make former President Obama's birthday a legitimate state holiday. There have been three separate bills introduced that, if passed, would officially make August 4th a holiday in the state of Illinois.

According to ABC 7 Chicago, Democratic Representatives Andre Thapedi and Sonya Harper proposed two of the bills in the House, which would make Obama's summer birthday a legal holiday – shutting down state government offices and giving all schools and businesses the option of closing for the day as well. 

When the bill was first proposed last year, Republican Governor Bruce Rauner's administration came out in opposition, stating that it would cost the state 3.2 million dollars in salary to give workers the day off. And posited that a total of $16 million would be lost "in productivity" if workers were given this paid holiday.

Thapedi said, "This bill is even stronger this year now that Obama is no longer in the White House…Last year, there were some concerns, honoring a sitting president. Now that he's no longer a sitting president, it's even more appropriate." And that the numbers filed by the Governor's administration have been "overstated." 

Senator Jacqueline Collins, who proposed the third commemorative bill, hopes that both sides of the aisle can come together and celebrate the former president's accomplishments. She said, "I hope we don't descend to what we see at the federal level…As a Democrat, I have no problem honoring President Lincoln. There should be reciprocity between parties, Obama belongs to Illinois, and Illinois belongs to all people, Republicans and Democrats." 

Hopefully, Barack Obama Day can become a reality in the state of Illinois.