A Grammy-winning polka is closer to becoming the official Illinois polka. A House committee OK'd enshrining the Illinois-written "Polka Celebration" along other designations such as the state bird and flower.
The tune was written and composed by Chicago native Eddie Blazonczyk Sr. It won a Grammy Award in 1986.
Chicago Democratic Rep. Robert Martwick says a constituent on the International Polka Association board of directors prompted the proposal. He says it's important because of Polish-American contributions to Chicago and the state.
But while the polka inspired its own dance, that category's already spoken for by the square dance. Lawmakers are considering measures to call sweet corn the Prairie State's official vegetable and its pie, the pumpkin variety.
