Illinois Reveals 10 Finalists for Potential State Flag Redesign

DECEMBER 10, 2024 — The Illinois Secretary of State’s office has announced the top 10 finalists for a potential new state flag design, CBS reports.

Selected from nearly 5,000 submissions, the designs are now part of a public voting process that will begin in January 2025.

Led by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois Flag Commission reviewed submissions received between September and October. The public will have the option to vote online for one of the 10 new designs, the current flag, or two historic flags — the 1918 centennial flag and the 1968 sesquicentennial flag.

The current state flag features the Illinois state seal on a white background. The 1918 centennial flag displays a white and blue banner flanked by 10 stars on each side, with a larger 21st star symbolizing Illinois as the 21st state. The 1968 sesquicentennial flag consists of a dark blue field with an orange silhouette of the state centered in a white “I,” surrounded by 20 stars and a prominent 21st star in the upper right corner.

The newly proposed designs incorporate a range of elements, including red and blue stripes, depictions of Abraham Lincoln, the state butterfly, the state flower, and various star and stripe motifs. The commission’s selections aim to reflect the state’s history and identity.

Public voting is set to begin on January 1. The results of this vote will be non-binding but will inform the commission’s final recommendations. By April 1, the Illinois Flag Commission will present its findings to the General Assembly, which will then decide whether to adopt a new flag, retain the current flag, or revert to one of the historic versions. The final decision will rest with state lawmakers and the governor.

According to WTTW, the flag redesign initiative stems from Public Act 103-0513 (Senate Bill 1818), passed in 2023, which established the commission to evaluate potential updates to the state flag. The law mandates that any new design “represent the state” and that input from young people and children be considered in the selection process.

Image: KSDK

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