Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is declaring Jan. 30 “Fred Korematsu Day” across Illinois.(photo by KeithPR of Korematsu with Ed Bradley, 60 Minutes).

Illinois is the fourth state in the nation to have a day honoring the Asian American civil rights activist, following Hawaii, California and Utah.

Korematsu challenged Japanese American internment during World War II in what became a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case.

“Fred Korematsu was a heroic figure whose tenacity and commitment to making the world a better place for everyone,” said Gov. Quinn in a statement.

Karen Korematsu, the late activist’s daughter and Executive Director of the not-for-profit Fred Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights & Education praised Gov. Quinn’s decision and said, “My dream is some day to see a federally recognized ‘Fred Korematsu Day’ that would remind us – especially on January 30 – that our civil liberties and the Constitution are afforded to all Americans regardless of race, color and creed.”

To read more reactions to the proclamation, see the press release at the Illinois Government News Network.