(Springfield, IL) –State Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) received unanimous support in the Illinois House today for a resolution naming Murphysboro the Barbecue Capital of Illinois. Murphysboro is home to the annual “Praise the Lard” BBQ Cook-off which is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and the Memphis Barbecue Network. The Travel Channel named Murphysboro as one of 8 “BBQ Paradises”. Murphysboro is also home to National BBQ Hall of Fame pit masters Mike Mills of 17th Street BBQ and Pat Burke of Pat’s BBQ and Catering. Mills and Burke are Illinois’ only National BBQ Hall of Fame members. Bryant said the idea for the measure was brought to her by Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens. Stephens says he is proud that the measure received unanimous House support. “The city of Murphysboro thanks Representative Terri Bryant for her hard work to earn this special recognition for the city’s rich barbecue heritage. If you haven’t been to our great city to try our famous barbecue, then make plans this summer to visit the Barbecue Capital City of Illinois!”