{"id":1959462,"date":"2026-05-21T09:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T06:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1959462"},"modified":"2026-05-21T09:27:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T06:27:08","slug":"illinois-just-made-the-italian-beef-its-official-state-sandwich-and-the-bear-got-a-thank-you-note-from-the-capitol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1959462","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Just Made the Italian Beef Its Official State Sandwich, and &#8216;The Bear&#8217; Got a Thank You Note From the Capitol"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FtwThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-post-body col\">\n<div class=\"row post-body\">\n<aside class=\"post-body-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-upper\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<ul class=\"post-body-sidebar-hype-comments-container list-unstyled d-none d-lg-block\">\n<li><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             626<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-sm-inline text\">Comments<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-credentials d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Source<\/h6>\n<p><span>Variety<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<article class=\"post-body-article\">\n<div class=\"post-gallery-container small inner-media\">\n<div class=\"gallery-container post-gallery-contain\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Illinois Just Made the Italian Beef Its Official State Sandwich, and &apos;The Bear&apos; Got a Thank You Note From the Capitol\">\n<div class=\"hb-gallery before-booted full-screen-enabled only-one-cell \" data-images=\"[{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/05\/21\/The-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;The Bear Italian Beef Named Illinois Official State Sandwich&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;FX&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Shop Now&quot;}}]\" role=\"list\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"1\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit \">Fx<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             626<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Illinois General Assembly officially named the Italian beef sandwich the state sandwich of Illinois on May 20, with the resolution explicitly crediting <em>The Bear<\/em> for bringing international attention to the dish<\/li>\n<li><em>The Bear<\/em> actor Corey Hendrix, a Chicago native who plays Gary \u201cSweeps\u201d Woods, was present at the Springfield Capitol for the proclamation, where a food truck served complimentary Italian beef outside the building<\/li>\n<li>The fifth and final season of <em>The Bear<\/em> premieres June 25 on FX and Hulu, making this moment one of the more unusual send-offs a TV show has ever received<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Illinois General Assembly has officially named the Italian beef sandwich the state sandwich of Illinois, and it would like <em>The Bear <\/em>to know it had something to do with that. In a formal resolution passed on May 20, the state legislature name-checked the FX series as a key reason for the sandwich\u2019s recent resurgence in popular culture, with cast member and Chicago native Corey Hendrix present at the Capitol in Springfield to receive a framed copy of the document.<\/p>\n<p>The resolution is worth reading on its own terms, because it is genuinely well-written for a piece of state legislation. It traces the Italian beef\u2019s origins to the working-class Italian immigrant communities of Chicago in the early 20th century, calling the sandwich an \u201cambassador of Illinois culture far beyond the state\u2019s borders,\u201d and notes that the series \u201cserved as a powerful and authentic portrayal of Chicago\u2019s food culture, its immigrant working-class roots, and the spirit of resilience, creativity, and excellence that defines the people of Illinois.\u201d There was also a food truck parked outside the Capitol serving complimentary Italian beefs, which is the kind of detail that makes you wonder why more legislative proceedings do not end this way.\n<\/p>\n<p>Hendrix, who plays Gary \u201cSweeps\u201d Woods on the show and grew up in Chicago, represented the production at the event alongside state representatives Rick Ryan and Dave Vella and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel \u201cChris\u201d Welch. The show filmed all five seasons in and around Chicago, using Mr. Beef on Orleans Street in the River North neighborhood as the location and inspiration for the Original Beef of Chicagoland. That the real shop and the real city have been so central to the series is part of what makes the proclamation land as genuine rather than promotional.\n<\/p>\n<p>The fifth and final season of <em>The Bear<\/em> premieres June 25 on FX and Hulu.<\/p>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"related-stories-main-wrapper\">\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<div class=\"stories-container\" data-layer-list-name=\"related_stories\" data-layer-list-offset=\"0\" data-layer-list-child-selector=\".story-item\">\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6727616\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>Everything Coming To Disney+ in June 2026\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6727068\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>The&#8217;Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex&#8217; Soundtrack and &#8216;Innocence&#8217; Score Are Coming to Vinyl This Summer\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6727102\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>POP MART Brings Kasing Lung&#8217;s &#8216;THE MONSTERS&#8217; 10th Anniversary Exhibition to Tokyo This June\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-email-signup-wrapper impression-tracker\">\n<h3>We got you covered. Don\u2019t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"terms\">By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-credentials d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Source<\/h6>\n<p><span>Variety<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    FXThe Bear\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-footer\" class=\"post-footer row\">\n<div class=\"col-shopping-break\">\n<hr>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-comments\">\n<div id=\"comments\" class=\"post-comments none \">\n<header>\n<div class=\"heading\"><span class=\"comment-count\">0<\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"comment-dropdown-tooltip\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row post-body\">\n<aside class=\"post-body-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-upper\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<ul class=\"post-body-sidebar-hype-comments-container list-unstyled d-none d-lg-block\">\n<li><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             626<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-sm-inline text\">Comments<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-credentials d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Source<\/h6>\n<p><span>Variety<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<article class=\"post-body-article\">\n<div class=\"post-gallery-container small inner-media\">\n<div class=\"gallery-container post-gallery-contain\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Illinois Just Made the Italian Beef Its Official State Sandwich, and &apos;The Bear&apos; Got a Thank You Note From the Capitol\">\n<div class=\"hb-gallery before-booted full-screen-enabled only-one-cell \" data-images=\"[{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/05\/21\/The-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;The Bear Italian Beef Named Illinois Official State Sandwich&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;FX&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Shop Now&quot;}}]\" role=\"list\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"1\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit \">Fx<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             626<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Illinois General Assembly officially named the Italian beef sandwich the state sandwich of Illinois on May 20, with the resolution explicitly crediting <em>The Bear<\/em> for bringing international attention to the dish<\/li>\n<li><em>The Bear<\/em> actor Corey Hendrix, a Chicago native who plays Gary \u201cSweeps\u201d Woods, was present at the Springfield Capitol for the proclamation, where a food truck served complimentary Italian beef outside the building<\/li>\n<li>The fifth and final season of <em>The Bear<\/em> premieres June 25 on FX and Hulu, making this moment one of the more unusual send-offs a TV show has ever received<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Illinois General Assembly has officially named the Italian beef sandwich the state sandwich of Illinois, and it would like <em>The Bear <\/em>to know it had something to do with that. In a formal resolution passed on May 20, the state legislature name-checked the FX series as a key reason for the sandwich\u2019s recent resurgence in popular culture, with cast member and Chicago native Corey Hendrix present at the Capitol in Springfield to receive a framed copy of the document.<\/p>\n<p>The resolution is worth reading on its own terms, because it is genuinely well-written for a piece of state legislation. It traces the Italian beef\u2019s origins to the working-class Italian immigrant communities of Chicago in the early 20th century, calling the sandwich an \u201cambassador of Illinois culture far beyond the state\u2019s borders,\u201d and notes that the series \u201cserved as a powerful and authentic portrayal of Chicago\u2019s food culture, its immigrant working-class roots, and the spirit of resilience, creativity, and excellence that defines the people of Illinois.\u201d There was also a food truck parked outside the Capitol serving complimentary Italian beefs, which is the kind of detail that makes you wonder why more legislative proceedings do not end this way.\n<\/p>\n<p>Hendrix, who plays Gary \u201cSweeps\u201d Woods on the show and grew up in Chicago, represented the production at the event alongside state representatives Rick Ryan and Dave Vella and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel \u201cChris\u201d Welch. The show filmed all five seasons in and around Chicago, using Mr. Beef on Orleans Street in the River North neighborhood as the location and inspiration for the Original Beef of Chicagoland. That the real shop and the real city have been so central to the series is part of what makes the proclamation land as genuine rather than promotional.\n<\/p>\n<p>The fifth and final season of <em>The Bear<\/em> premieres June 25 on FX and Hulu.<\/p>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"related-stories-main-wrapper\">\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<div class=\"stories-container\" data-layer-list-name=\"related_stories\" data-layer-list-offset=\"0\" data-layer-list-child-selector=\".story-item\">\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6727616\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>Everything Coming To Disney+ in June 2026\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6727068\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>The&#8217;Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex&#8217; Soundtrack and &#8216;Innocence&#8217; Score Are Coming to Vinyl This Summer\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6727102\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>POP MART Brings Kasing Lung&#8217;s &#8216;THE MONSTERS&#8217; 10th Anniversary Exhibition to Tokyo This June\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-email-signup-wrapper impression-tracker\">\n<h3>We got you covered. Don\u2019t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"terms\">By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-credentials d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Source<\/h6>\n<p><span>Variety<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    FXThe Bear\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-upper\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<ul class=\"post-body-sidebar-hype-comments-container list-unstyled d-none d-lg-block\">\n<li><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             626<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-sm-inline text\">Comments<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-credentials d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Source<\/h6>\n<p><span>Variety<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-credentials d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Source<\/h6>\n<p><span>Variety<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<article class=\"post-body-article\">\n<div class=\"post-gallery-container small inner-media\">\n<div class=\"gallery-container post-gallery-contain\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Illinois Just Made the Italian Beef Its Official State Sandwich, and &apos;The Bear&apos; Got a Thank You Note From the Capitol\">\n<div class=\"hb-gallery before-booted full-screen-enabled only-one-cell \" data-images=\"[{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/05\/21\/The-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;The Bear Italian Beef Named Illinois Official State Sandwich&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;FX&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Shop Now&quot;}}]\" role=\"list\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"1\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich-2.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit \">Fx<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             626<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Illinois General Assembly officially named the Italian beef sandwich the state sandwich of Illinois on May 20, with the resolution explicitly crediting <em>The Bear<\/em> for bringing international attention to the dish<\/li>\n<li><em>The Bear<\/em> actor Corey Hendrix, a Chicago native who plays Gary \u201cSweeps\u201d Woods, was present at the Springfield Capitol for the proclamation, where a food truck served complimentary Italian beef outside the building<\/li>\n<li>The fifth and final season of <em>The Bear<\/em> premieres June 25 on FX and Hulu, making this moment one of the more unusual send-offs a TV show has ever received<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Illinois General Assembly has officially named the Italian beef sandwich the state sandwich of Illinois, and it would like <em>The Bear <\/em>to know it had something to do with that. In a formal resolution passed on May 20, the state legislature name-checked the FX series as a key reason for the sandwich\u2019s recent resurgence in popular culture, with cast member and Chicago native Corey Hendrix present at the Capitol in Springfield to receive a framed copy of the document.<\/p>\n<p>The resolution is worth reading on its own terms, because it is genuinely well-written for a piece of state legislation. It traces the Italian beef\u2019s origins to the working-class Italian immigrant communities of Chicago in the early 20th century, calling the sandwich an \u201cambassador of Illinois culture far beyond the state\u2019s borders,\u201d and notes that the series \u201cserved as a powerful and authentic portrayal of Chicago\u2019s food culture, its immigrant working-class roots, and the spirit of resilience, creativity, and excellence that defines the people of Illinois.\u201d There was also a food truck parked outside the Capitol serving complimentary Italian beefs, which is the kind of detail that makes you wonder why more legislative proceedings do not end this way.\n<\/p>\n<p>Hendrix, who plays Gary \u201cSweeps\u201d Woods on the show and grew up in Chicago, represented the production at the event alongside state representatives Rick Ryan and Dave Vella and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel \u201cChris\u201d Welch. The show filmed all five seasons in and around Chicago, using Mr. Beef on Orleans Street in the River North neighborhood as the location and inspiration for the Original Beef of Chicagoland. That the real shop and the real city have been so central to the series is part of what makes the proclamation land as genuine rather than promotional.\n<\/p>\n<p>The fifth and final season of <em>The Bear<\/em> premieres June 25 on FX and Hulu.<\/p>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"related-stories-main-wrapper\">\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<div class=\"stories-container\" data-layer-list-name=\"related_stories\" data-layer-list-offset=\"0\" data-layer-list-child-selector=\".story-item\">\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6727616\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>Everything Coming To Disney+ in June 2026\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6727068\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>The&#8217;Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex&#8217; Soundtrack and &#8216;Innocence&#8217; Score Are Coming to Vinyl This Summer\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6727102\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>POP MART Brings Kasing Lung&#8217;s &#8216;THE MONSTERS&#8217; 10th Anniversary Exhibition to Tokyo This June\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-email-signup-wrapper impression-tracker\">\n<h3>We got you covered. Don\u2019t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"terms\">By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-credentials d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Source<\/h6>\n<p><span>Variety<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    FXThe Bear\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             626<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Food &amp; Beverage<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time>May 21, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             626<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Illinois General Assembly officially named the Italian beef sandwich the state sandwich of Illinois on May 20, with the resolution explicitly crediting <em>The Bear<\/em> for bringing international attention to the dish<\/li>\n<li><em>The Bear<\/em> actor Corey Hendrix, a Chicago native who plays Gary \u201cSweeps\u201d Woods, was present at the Springfield Capitol for the proclamation, where a food truck served complimentary Italian beef outside the building<\/li>\n<li>The fifth and final season of <em>The Bear<\/em> premieres June 25 on FX and Hulu, making this moment one of the more unusual send-offs a TV show has ever received<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Illinois General Assembly has officially named the Italian beef sandwich the state sandwich of Illinois, and it would like <em>The Bear <\/em>to know it had something to do with that. In a formal resolution passed on May 20, the state legislature name-checked the FX series as a key reason for the sandwich\u2019s recent resurgence in popular culture, with cast member and Chicago native Corey Hendrix present at the Capitol in Springfield to receive a framed copy of the document.<\/p>\n<p>The resolution is worth reading on its own terms, because it is genuinely well-written for a piece of state legislation. It traces the Italian beef\u2019s origins to the working-class Italian immigrant communities of Chicago in the early 20th century, calling the sandwich an \u201cambassador of Illinois culture far beyond the state\u2019s borders,\u201d and notes that the series \u201cserved as a powerful and authentic portrayal of Chicago\u2019s food culture, its immigrant working-class roots, and the spirit of resilience, creativity, and excellence that defines the people of Illinois.\u201d There was also a food truck parked outside the Capitol serving complimentary Italian beefs, which is the kind of detail that makes you wonder why more legislative proceedings do not end this way.\n<\/p>\n<p>Hendrix, who plays Gary \u201cSweeps\u201d Woods on the show and grew up in Chicago, represented the production at the event alongside state representatives Rick Ryan and Dave Vella and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel \u201cChris\u201d Welch. The show filmed all five seasons in and around Chicago, using Mr. Beef on Orleans Street in the River North neighborhood as the location and inspiration for the Original Beef of Chicagoland. That the real shop and the real city have been so central to the series is part of what makes the proclamation land as genuine rather than promotional.\n<\/p>\n<p>The fifth and final season of <em>The Bear<\/em> premieres June 25 on FX and Hulu.<\/p>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-credentials d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Source<\/h6>\n<p><span>Variety<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    FXThe Bear\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2026\/5\/the-bear-italian-beef-named-illinois-official-state-sandwich&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F05%2F21%2FtwThe-Bear-Italian-Beef-Named-Illinois-Official-State-Sandwich.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&#8221;] Food &amp; Beverage May 21, 2026 626 Views 0\u00a0Comments Comments Save Text By Sophie Caraan Source Variety Editor Assistant Thu Tran Share this article Fx Food &amp; Beverage May 21, 2026 626 Views 0\u00a0Comments Comments Save Summary The Illinois General Assembly officially named the Italian beef sandwich the state sandwich of Illinois [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,39],"class_list":["post-1959462","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-hypebeast-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1959462","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1959462"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1959462\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1959462"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1959462"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1959462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}