Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – While the horseshoe lobby may want a word, lawmakers supporting the Italian beef as the official state sandwich of Illinois brought star power as an appetizer.

Chicago actor Corey Hendrix (pictured, center) – “Sweeps” on FX’s The Bear – said Wednesday it is an honor to be part of the campaign for the sandwich to join the roster of official state symbols. “I’m a Chicagoan,” he said. “I love Italian beef. It’s a really, really big deal.”

“I grew up in Oak Lawn,” said State Rep. Rick Ryan (pictured, left) (D-Evergreen Park) of his interest. “My grandmother – I remember sitting in her kitchen every Saturday afternoon playing pinochle while she would make Italian beef and let it simmer all day and we’d smell it all day with the garlic and the herbs and everything and – my mouth is watering just picturing my grandmother making it right now as I’m speaking.

“God bless you, Grandmother!” he concluded, eyes upward.

Ryan’s bill has passed the House.