Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that the Illinois Flag Commission will begin accepting public submissions for a new State flag design, beginning Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
The IFC will accept design ideas for consideration from the public–online or via mail–until Friday, October 18. The commission also plans to work with schools and local libraries, to inform Illinoisans about the process and to encourage residents to take part.
“I’m excited to see the creativity of Illinois residents and how they display their passion for our great State,” said Giannoulias, whose Office is responsible for chairing the commission. “The symbols that represent and unify our State are important…This presents an excellent opportunity to engage Illinoisans and showcase their pride.”
The commission was created in 2023 after Senate Bill 1818, sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner and State Representative Kam Buckner was signed into law.
“History is living, breathing, and ever-evolving,” said Turner. “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. To start the conversation, I led the initiative to create the Illinois Flag Commission….[It] is tasked with deciding whether the current State flag should be replaced with a redesigned State flag. We need a flag that truly represents Illinois–a state with a strong workforce, an agriculture champion, and so much more.”
“Our flag embodies the rich tapestry of Illinois—from the mighty Mississippi to the shores of Lake Michigan. It reflects our history, our people, and the spirit of our state,” said Buckner. “A new design presents a unique opportunity to honor our heritage while showcasing the evolving story of Illinois.”
The Commission will select ten designs based on how they reflect the identity of Illinois. It will host an online public survey for residents to vote on their favorites–or to keep the current flag. Voting will begin Wednesday, January 1, 2025, and last about two months.
The bill allows the Commission to evaluate if a new State flag would better represent the State’s diversity of urban, suburban, and rural communities and inspire renewed State pride among Illinoisans.
Illinois has joined other States in seeking a new State flag design. Minnesota unveiled its new flag in December 2023, using a similar method to the one adopted by Illinois. Michigan and Maine are also considering an official change in their State flags.
General Guidance for Submissions
1. Design elements can include natural features, history, and culture of the State.
2. No limit on flag shape or ratio, but designs may be edited by the Commission.
3. No limit on colors, but recommended less than three colors for clarity of design.
4. Participants can visit www.ilsos.gov and upload online, or submit their design via mail addressed to Illinois Flag Commission, Howlett Building, Room 476, 501 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62756
5. Participants are required to provide their first and last name, address, email address and phone number. They are also required to explain their relationship to Illinois and provide a description of their flag entry (each category limited to 500 characters).
6. To upload an image, the file will need to be 5 MB or less and in PNG, GIF, or JPG format.
7. There should be no watermarks or frames around the image.
8. By submitting a design, the designer is authorizing the Commission and the State of Illinois to take ownership of the design.
9. Persons under 18 may submit designs if submitted in coordination with a parent, guardian, teacher, or adult mentor.
10. Designs may not be copied from other designs or use existing logos or copyrighted materials; the design may include elements or reproductions of the State Seal or any prior Illinois State flag.
11. Designs cannot be AI generated.
12. Submissions are limited to three per person.
13. Submissions from outside the United States, i.e. military bases, need to be made by regular mail.