Spring is finally here and we have much to celebrate, including these notable figures born in Illinois this month! They say a state’s greatest pride is its people – and Illinois certainly has much to boast about. Here are this month’s birthdays:

• David Otunga – Actor and retired professional wrestler best known for his tenure in WWE, born on April 7, 1980 in Elgin
• Betty Ford – Former first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, activist and feminist, born on April 8, 1918 in Chicago
• Patricia Arquette – An Emmy, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning actress, she recently starred in the critically acclaimed show, “Severance,” born on April 8, 1968 in Chicago
• Herbie Hancock – Jazz musician, band leader and composer born on April 12, 1940 in Chicago
• Bobbi Brown – Professional makeup artist, author, and the founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, born April 14, 1957 in Wilmette
• Chance the Rapper (Chancelor Johnathan Bennett) – Grammy-winning hip-hop artist and activist, born on April 16, 1993 in Chicago
• Barbara Hale – Emmy-winning actress best known for her role as Della Street in “Perry Mason,” born on April 18, 1922 in DeKalb
• Sherri Shepherd – Actress, comedian, author, podcaster, and television presenter, born on April 22, 1967 in Chicago