Bill
HR 475
Declares Sept 15–Oct 15, 2025 as Illinois Hispanic Heritage Month; urges schools and communities to celebrate Hispanic/Latino histories, contributions, and related educational events.
Status: Resolution (ceremonial) — Introduced Jan 16, 2025; Adopted Mar 31, 2025; Final recorded action Oct 30, 2025 (Resolution Adopted 76–27–0). Primary sponsor(s): Rep. Barbara Hernandez (and a large group of co‑sponsors listed).
Purpose
- To declare September 15 through October 15, 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month in the State of Illinois, and to encourage residents to participate in activities that honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
Key provisions and content
- Officially declares Sept. 15–Oct. 15, 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Illinois.
- Encourages statewide participation in ceremonies, educational programs, and community events that recognize Hispanic and Latino achievements and cultural contributions.
- Provides findings and statements of recognition that:
- Trace the observance’s origins and note its alignment with several Latin American independence days (e.g., Mexico on Sept. 16).
- Highlight contributions of Hispanic Americans across public life (e.g., labor leaders, public officials, scientists, artists) and note Illinois’s Hispanic/Latino population (~19%).
- Cite an asserted economic contribution of over $100 billion annually from the Hispanic community in the State.
- Identify disparities and concerns affecting Hispanic communities, including higher uninsured rates, deportation-related fear, impacts on mixed‑status households, and disproportionate effects of abortion restrictions on Latinas.
- Express support for reproductive justice, family unity, universal access to health care, and humane immigration policies.
Who is affected
- Primarily symbolic — aims at residents, schools, community organizations, cultural institutions, and state agencies to promote public recognition and educational activities. It does not create new programs, mandates, or funding.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Introduced and referred to committees Jan 16, 2025; reported and laid before the House in March 2025 and adopted March 31, 2025. Additional co‑sponsors were added through October 2025, and the resolution was placed on the calendar and adopted (recorded 76–27–0) on Oct 30, 2025.
Other notes
- The text included an unrelated legislative language (LC 112 3164) commending the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council on its 50th anniversary; that appears to be a separate resolution and is not part of Illinois’s Hispanic Heritage Month declaration.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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