State offices, including those in Sauk Valley, closed for Juneteenth

June 18, 2021 at 10:03 am CDT

The Jesse White Secretary of State's Drivers Services Facility on South Peoria Avenue was closed on Friday, June 18, 2021. Like all state government offices, Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered a state observance of the new holiday, Juneteenth, recognizing the importance of emancipating enslaved Americans. "I'm pleased to see the federal government join Illinois in recognizing Juneteenth as an official holiday, offering all Americans a day to reflect on the national shame of slavery and the work we must do to dismantle systemic racism," said Pritzker in announcing the observance. (Troy Taylor)

State offices, including those in the Sauk Valley, were closed on Friday after Gov. JB Pritzker announced observance of Juneteenth in accord with a new state law and President Joe Biden’s enacting federal legislation.

Pritzker made his announcement Wednesday at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The state’s copy of the Emancipation Proclamation was displayed for the signing.

Pritzker asked Illinoisans to “stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Black Americans who will celebrate Juneteenth as a milestone in their fight for every ounce of the freedom that is their God-given right - and continue with them in that fight.”

In addition to closing state offices on Friday, Illinois will continue the recognition of Juneteenth throughout the state, lowering all flags covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act to half-staff on Saturday. In addition, a Juneteenth flag will fly proudly over the Illinois state Capitol in Springfield on every Juneteenth, starting this year.