CHICAGO – To recognize and honor the history and legacy of Emmett Till, State Senators Mattie Hunter and Elgie R. Sims, Jr. led a newly signed law to honor July 25 of each year as Emmett Till Day in Illinois.
“Emmett Till’s story is a painful chapter in our nation’s history, but it is one we must continue to remember and teach,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “By recognizing Emmett Till Day, we honor his life, the courage of his mother Mamie Till-Mobley and the generations of advocates who have fought for justice and equality.”
House Bill 4323 designates July 25 as Emmett Till Day in Illinois, recognizing Till’s life and legacy and acknowledging the significance of his death in the struggle for civil rights in the United States. Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Till’s story remains deeply connected to Illinois and serves as a powerful reminder of the work that remains in the pursuit of racial justice.
At just 14 years old, Emmett Till was abducted, tortured and lynched in Mississippi after being falsely accused of interacting with a white woman. His murder and the decision by his mother to publicly display the brutality of the crime galvanized the civil rights movement and awakened the conscience of the nation.
“Emmett Till’s legacy represents both the pain and power of our history and the ongoing fight for racial justice,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “As we teach our children and grandchildren about Emmett Till, let July 25 serve as an opportunity to remember our truth, demand justice and find strength in his life, story and memory.”
House Bill 4323 was signed into law Thursday.
