IL HJR0070

May commemorates Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage, first recognized in 1979 and officially celebrated as AAPI Heritage Month since 1990.

May was selected to honor the arrival of Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869, built largely by Chinese immigrant workers.

Illinois is home to more than 905,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, with the five largest communities being Indian Americans, Filipino Americans, Chinese Americans, Korean Americans, and Pakistani Americans.

AAPI communities represent more than 50 distinct ethnic groups and more than 100 languages and are the fastest growing racial or ethnic group in the United States.

Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have contributed significantly to Illinois and U.S. development despite facing historical discrimination, exclusion, and violence.