A bill proposed in the Illinois Senate would get rid of state symbols, such as the state bird, flower and state animal, among many others.
The State Journal-Register reports that Republican Sen. Tom Rooney of Rolling Meadows proposed the bill. He says too many state symbols has decreased the value of the ``important'' ones.
Rooney's legislation would only keep the state flag, seal, motto and song.
Republican Sen. Sam McCann of Plainview sponsored successful legislation in 2015 that was prompted by a group of fourth-graders at Chatham Elementary School to make sweet corn the official state vegetable.
McCann defended the use of the various state symbols in a statement, saying he feels the state symbol bills grow organically within regions and communities throughout Illinois.
