Disclaimer: For entertainment purposes only. Laws may have changed. Not legal advice.
Back
IllinoismiscRepealed

It is illegal to speak 'English' instead of 'American.'

Funny Rating:★★★★
Added: 2026/3/18

The Law

In 1923, an Illinois state law was passed declaring that the official language of the state was 'American,' not English. This was driven by anti-British sentiment spearheaded by an Irish-American politician in Chicago who wanted to protest British influence. The law remained on the books until 1969, when it was quietly changed back to English.

Source & Citation

Code/Statute: 5 ILCS 460/20 (Historical)
Illinois Compiled Statutes - State Designations Act

Tags:

#il#language#history#politics