An Illinois Senate panel Wednesday approved a measure to pay tribute to one of the chamber's most distinguished former members.
Barack Obama was once one of 59 state senators. He had a desk. And a chair. And someone had the foresight to put them into storage.
Now Senate President John Cullerton wants to preserve Obama artifacts in case the president's official library ends up in Chicago.
Under current law, the state agency that handles surplus property cannot donate it unless it's at least 40 years old.
Cullerton wants to make an exception.
"I think it would be a good idea for us to donate the furniture that we have of former Senator Obama to the presidential library rather than sell his seat. Someone tried that in the past and it didn't work out so well for them. So I think we should donate them," Cullerton said.
Lawmakers are considering committing $100 million dollars to lure Obama's presidential library to Chicago.
