Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HR664: AMERICA-250TH ANNIVERSARY
Status: In committee, June 23, 2026
Recognizes and Commemorates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America on July 4, 2026. Encourages all citizens, communities, educational institutions, civic organizations, and businesses within Illinois to participate in commemorative events and activities that reflect on our history, celebrate our achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of liberty, equality, self-government, and federalism. Encourages educational institutions across Illinois to enhance civics education, ensuring that future generations understand the critical importance of active civic participation, the principles of federalism, and the decentralized governance that protects liberty and promotes responsive government.
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:
HR0664LRB104 20824 ECR 34379 r HR0664 LRB104 20824 ECR 34379 r HR0664 LRB104 20824 ECR 34379 r HOUSE RESOLUTION WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize that July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary, or Semiquincentennial, of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1776, signifying the founding of the United States of America; and WHEREAS, The Declaration of Independence proclaimed timeless principles of profound significance to the national heritage of the United States, including that all are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed; and WHEREAS, The founding of the United States established the principle of federalism, emphasizing a decentralized system of government wherein powers are divided between national and state governments, fostering liberty, accountability, and responsiveness to local communities; and WHEREAS, This decentralized governance model has allowed for innovation, diverse policy approaches, and stronger accountability to the citizens of each state, ensuring that HR0664- 2 -LRB104 20824 ECR 34379 r HR0664 - 2 - LRB104 20824 ECR 34379 r HR0664 - 2 - LRB104 20824 ECR 34379 r government remains close to and reflective of the people's will; and WHEREAS, The founding of …