FEBRUARY 16, 2026 — The Village of Skokie in Illinois has entered the final stage of its flag redesign, reports The Record North Shore, inviting the public to weigh in on three finalist designs intended to replace the flag used since the mid-20th century.
This initiative follows the 2025 adoption of a new village seal, which replaced 1940s-era imagery that officials and community members, including Indigenous representatives, identified as disrespectful.
According to the city government, the current flag, which features a gold arrowhead and the profile of a Native American in a feathered bonnet, is being phased out to align with these updated administrative standards.
A review panel consisting of village staff, artists, and educators evaluated 79 submissions from local residents against the design principles established by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA).
Patrick Deignan, Skokie’s communications director, noted that while a public survey is open until March 8, the panel maintains the “potential” to request further refinements from the artists before a final recommendation is made to the Village Board in April.
Each of the three finalists incorporates a flame motif, a central element of the newly adopted village seal inspired by the Potawatomi, known as the “Keepers of the Fire.”
The first contender, “Skokie Spirit” by Buddy Boor, features a yellow and orange flame set against a dark green field. The design seeks to establish the flame as a universal municipal symbol while the green background serves as a “nod to the current flag.”
The second finalist, “Prairie Flame” by Jasmine Dela Luna and Jeffrey Meyer, utilizes a golden flame to represent resilience and diversity. This design includes white waves at the base to reference the area’s geographic history as a marsh or prairie, set against a green field symbolizing the village’s parks and commitment to sustainability.
The third option, also titled “Skokie Spirit” by Richa Cordero, explicitly ties its symbolism to the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi. In this version, the background is blue, representing the North Shore Channel, and green, representing local natural spaces.
The design highlights the etymology of “Skokie,” derived from the Potawatomi word Wabskoki, meaning marsh.
Deignan stated that the review panel will analyze survey results to determine if a community consensus exists.
Image: Village of Skokie
