The state will accept submissions for a redesigned flag, with a public vote set for January 1, 2025. The move follows similar initiatives in other states, including Minnesota, which unveiled a new flag this year.
Illinois is on the cusp of potentially changing its state flag, with the Illinois Flag Commission (IFC) set to accept submissions for a new design after Labor Day. The commission will then select ten designs based on their reflection of Illinois' identity. On January 1st, 2025, an online public survey will allow residents to vote on their favorites and on whether to keep the current flag.
The IFC was created by a measure signed into law last year by Governor JB Pritzker. The commission's mandate is to decide whether the current flag should be replaced with a redesigned one. Democratic state Sen. Doris Turner, a co-sponsor of the legislation, emphasized the need for a flag that truly represents Illinois and its diverse urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Illinois Poised to Change State Flag After Labor Day
"History is living, breathing, and ever-evolving," Turner said. "We need to ensure government is evolving with the times, so people are engaged and a part of what is going on across the State."
Turner and Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago jointly introduced the legislation to allow officials to evaluate whether a new flag would better represent the state's diversity and inspire renewed state pride among Illinoisians.
Illinois Poised to Change State Flag After Labor Day
The development comes as several other states have also been redesigning their flags, including Utah, Mississippi, Michigan, and Maine. In January, Minnesota approved a change to its flag, replacing an old design that pictured a Native American with a new one featuring an eight-pointed North Star against a dark blue background.
The Minnesota flag was redesigned after a special commission decided that the old design was offensive to some Native Americans. The commission allowed entries from members of the community and engaged in a voting process before adopting the new design.
Illinois Poised to Change State Flag After Labor Day
Similarly, Illinois state officials will form a committee and allow entries from the public before voting on and ultimately adopting a new flag design. The process aims to create a flag that effectively captures the essence of Illinois and its people.
