The state of Illinois will begin accepting submissions for a new state flag design on Sept. 3 as a commission decides whether Illinois’ current flag needs to be replaced.
Gov. JB Pritzker approved a measure last year creating the 20-member Illinois Flag Commission, which is tasked with deciding whether a flag makeover is necessary.
The commission was created from legislation sponsored by state Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago and state Sen. Doris Turner of Springfield, both Democrats. It grants the commission the power to determine whether a new state flag “would better represent the state’s diversity of urban, suburban and rural communities and inspire renewed state pride among Illinoisians,” according to a statement about the commission from the Illinois secretary of state’s office.
After the submissions are made, the commission will choose 10 designs it feels most appropriately reflect the identity of Illinois. The commission also will create an online survey for the public to vote on their favorite designs or to keep the current flag, which features a bald eagle with the state motto in its mouth standing on a rock bearing the year of the seal’s creation, 1868, and of the state’s incorporation, 1818. It’s almost a carbon copy of the state seal.
Illinois’ first state flag was adopted in 1915 but more than 50 years later, Bruce McDaniel — a petty officer from downstate Morgan County, who was serving in Vietnam at the time — urged a newer flag be adopted to include the state’s name.
In 1969, the new design was passed by the legislature and approved by then-Gov. Richard Ogilvie, who then appointed a committee to come up with specifications for the new flag. The flag became official on July 1, 1970.
The commission will accept design ideas from the public, via online or through mail, until Oct. 18, according to a statement about the commission on the secretary of state’s website. Voting on the new flag designs or keeping the current flag will begin Jan. 1 and last six weeks, according to the website.
After public feedback, the commission will report its findings to the Illinois General Assembly, which will vote on whether to adopt a new flag or retain the current flag design.
Through a similar process earlier this year, Minnesota got a new state flag that shows, on its left side, an eight-pointed star enclosed in a dark blue shape that represents the state’s general outline and the night sky, while on the right it features light-blue coloring representing the state’s many bodies of water. Last year, Utah also underwent the process of getting a new state flag, which was changed to pay homage to its nickname, “The Beehive State.”
Locally, Cook County changed its flag in 2022, adopting a design created by a Glenbrook South High School student.
In order to submit a draft for a new Illinois flag, designers are asked to incorporate elements such as the state’s natural features or anything that represents Illinois’ history and culture.
There’s also no limit on flag shape, but designs may be edited by the commission. There’s also no limit on colors but less than three colors are recommended for clarity of design. Designs also cannot be generated by artificial intelligence.
Those interested in submitting a design for the new state flag are asked to visit https://www.ilsos.gov/special/IFC/home.html.
