DECEMBER 13, 2024 — Jasper County, Illinois, has entered the second round of public voting to determine whether to adopt a new county flag or retain its current one, WTHI-TV reports.
The second voting phase began on December 12, 2024, and will run until January 6, 2025. Votes can be submitted online here or in-person.
In the first round of voting which featured five alternate flag designs, over 70% of participants supported two proposed designs over the current flag.
The second round will decide between these two finalists and the existing flag. Once the voting concludes, the Jasper County Board will make the final decision on whether to adopt a new flag or retain the original design.
The current flag, introduced on June 12, 1976, during a Flag Day celebration, features intricate needlepoint work depicting the Prairie Chicken, a bird associated with the county’s heritage. Created by the Newton Woman’s Club’s Bicentennial Committee, the design has remained the county’s official flag for nearly five decades. However, the complexity of the needlepoint craftsmanship has made reproduction difficult.
The “Jasper County Seal Flag”, one of the two proposed designs, incorporates a field of blue at the bottom, symbolizing the county’s agricultural foundation. At the center is the official county seal, encircled by a yellow and orange rope, a subtle tribute to the needlepoint motif of the original flag.
The second option, titled the “Unity Flag of Stars, Fields, and River,” emphasizes community and natural elements. Its royal blue background represents patriotism, while a central circle symbolizes the unity between the government and residents. The flag’s large star represents Jasper County, with smaller stars denoting the county’s eleven townships. Additionally, the Embarras River is depicted in blue, and orange fields reflect agriculture and growth.
This initiative for a potential flag change began when the Jasper County Board formed a flag commission on September 19, 2024.
Image: Jasper County, Illinois