CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has approved measures designating Illinois’ official exercise, wildflower and pet.
They are cycling, milkweed and dogs and cats adopted from shelters or rescue facilities.
The state symbols came in a package of more than 150 bills the Republican governor acted on late Friday.
Illinois has had official designations for over a century years on a range of topics. The violet became the state flower in 1908 after school children voted on it. Popcorn became the state’s official snack in 2003.
But not everyone is on board. One Republican, state Sen. Tom Rooney of Rolling Meadows, has proposed repealing state designations saying they’re overused and their meaning gets diluted.
The legislation is HB2895, HB2568, HB812 and SB690.