JUNE 18, 2025 — Milwaukee is once again turning to its residents in an effort to replace its long-criticized city flag, according to the Urban Milwaukee, this time through a formal public design contest overseen by a newly proposed task force.
The initiative, led by Alderman Peter Burgelis and backed by a broad coalition of council members, represents the city’s most structured attempt yet to adopt a new flag that better reflects Milwaukee’s present identity and future aspirations.
The Common Council is expected to vote on the resolution as early as June 24, says Hoodline.
“Milwaukee is a great city and deserves a great flag, and a process where everyone has the opportunity to participate,” Burgelis said in a statement. He emphasized that the goal is to create “a flag that resonates with all Milwaukeeans ahead of the city’s 180th anniversary in 2026.”
The nine-member Milwaukee City Flag Task Force would be composed of appointments from the mayor, the Common Council president, and the chair of the Milwaukee Arts Board. Their role will be to solicit public designs, both online and in person, and will ultimately recommend up to ten finalist designs to the Common Council, although final adoption is not guaranteed.
The renewed effort comes after years of controversy and stalled momentum surrounding the People’s Flag of Milwaukee, an unofficial design titled Sunrise Over the Lake, selected through a 2016 public contest. While it has since appeared on local merchandise, sports branding, and business promotions, the flag has struggled to gain formal status due to concerns about the inclusivity of the original selection process and whether the design reflects Milwaukee’s diverse population.
In November 2024, the council sent the People’s Flag proposal back to committee, citing a need for further discussion. A possible citywide referendum was floated but later dismissed amid legal uncertainties. At that time, Burgelis noted the importance of allowing space for “time, options, for our next steps.”
The new resolution includes no dedicated budget beyond city staff time but is framed as an opportunity to unify Milwaukee’s communities around a shared symbol. “This is more than a design campaign,” Burgelis said. “It’s a chance to unify Milwaukeeans around a symbol we can all stand behind – and fly proudly.”
