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Illinois House passes bill to commemorate Diwali Day
The legislation acknowledges Diwali as a significant cultural and spiritual occasion but does not declare it a state holiday.
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 08, Apr 2025
- 15:51 EDT
- 609
Illinois House of Representatives/Daniel Didech / Facebook
In a significant win for the Indian American community, the Illinois House of Representatives on April 7 unanimously passed a legislation to formally designate Diwali Day in the state.
House Bill 1075, sponsored by State Representative Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove), would amend the State Commemorative Dates Act to recognize the 15th day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartika — the day Diwali typically falls on — as Diwali Day in Illinois.
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“This bill represents our state’s integral bond with the Indian American community, and our commitment to celebrating the diverse cultures that make Illinois a welcoming place for all people,” Didech said in a statement following the 103–0 House vote.
“I am proud to sponsor this meaningful bill that will recognize the integral bond between the Indian American community and the State of Illinois,” he added.
In its initial stages, the bill received strong bipartisan support at the committee level. Didech expressed gratitude to community members such as Gowty Magati for providing testimony and community organizations such as the Lake County Indians Association and HSS Paanchajanya Shakha Buffalo Grove in Springfield for their support.
While the legislation does not establish Diwali as a state holiday or close public offices, it formally acknowledges the festival as a significant cultural and spiritual occasion for thousands of Illinois residents.
The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Harry Benton, Fred Crespo, Michelle Mussman, Janet Yang Rohr, and Anne Stava-Murray. It now moves to the Illinois Senate for further consideration.
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