Politics
10 Final Designs for Next Illinois State Flag Include Corn Kernels, Abraham Lincoln and a Butterfly
An orange butterfly on a navy background encircled by stars.
A silhouette of Abraham Lincoln contrasted next to an outline of the state separated by the “steady flow” of the Mighty Mississippi.
Corn kernels and gears symbolizing Illinois’ agricultural and industrial foundations in the shape of a violet, the state flower.
These are among the 10 designs that could become Illinois’ next state flag, the Secretary of State’s office announced Tuesday.
The Illinois Flag Commission chose the finalists from nearly 5,000 submissions in a contest that closed in October.
Come January, the public can vote online for a favorite, be it one of the new designs, flags made for Illinois’ centennial in 1918 and sesquicentennial in 1968, or the current state flag.
The results of that vote will be non-binding, but will be considered by the commission, which has to come up with a recommendation by April as to what approach Illinois should take with its flag.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who signed the 2023 law establishing the protocol for examining whether a change of flag is prudent, was asked earlier this month if he has a preferred design.
The Democrat was diplomatically differential.
“I really like our current flag. I also like the designs that were put forward,” Pritzker said. “Don’t want to sound too political about that, but I mean I think a lot of effort was put in. I am glad, though, that we’re at least considering all the options here and what we end up with will be a choice that the public makes.”
That’s not entirely the case.
While the public has the chance to weigh in during online voting, the fate of Illinois’ official banner will ultimately be up to lawmakers.
Should the legislature pass a flag measure, it would be up to Pritzker whether to sign it into law.
The General Assembly in 2023 passed a law (Public Act 103-0513 / Senate Bill 1818) that created the flag commission and paved the way for a potential redesign.
“The purposes of the Commission are to develop new State flag designed and to make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning whether the current State flag out to be replaced,” the law reads.
The law required commission members to establish the contest, and then choose final designs that “represent the state.” The law also required the input of young people and children.
Scroll through the 10 finalists below:
