Pritzker Signs Bill to Explore
Creation of New State Flag
The Illinois Flag Commission will select
potential flags by September 2024
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[August 09, 2023]
Governor
JB Pritzker has signed SB1818 which creates the Illinois Flag
Commission for the purpose of exploring the creation of a new state
flag and developing new state flag designs. The commission will make
recommendations to the General Assembly concerning whether the
current State flag should be replaced with a redesigned flag. By
September 2024, the Illinois Flag Commission will select no more
than ten potential flags and submit a report to the General Assembly
by December 2024.
“Throughout our 205-year history, Illinois has boasted two official
state flags—and it may be time we create a new one that exemplifies
the values of our great state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I
am proud to sign SB1818 to establish the Illinois Flag Commission to
aid us in this process as we decide what our future flag should
represent.”
"Our state flag demonstrates who we are as one
Illinois, uplifting our history and our values. This bill will
ensure the Illinois flag continues to be a symbol of progress and
the ideals we uphold with the utmost honor," said Lt. Gov. Juliana
Stratton. "With the creation of the next flag of our state, we are
ushering in a new era that will represent every Illinoisan and
commemorate how far we have come so we may go even further
together."
Prior to this, Illinois has had two official state flags. The first
of these was adopted on July 6, 1915, after a campaign by Ella Park
Laurence, State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Thirty-five designs for the flag were submitted and the winner was
crafted by Lucy Derwent. The flag became law on July 6, 1915. In
September of 1969, the original flag was amended to carry the
state’s name so it was easily identifiable.
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The next move to design a new
state flag was initiated by Governor Ogilvie. The former
Governor convened a committee to develop specifications for a
new state flag to ensure uniformity in reproduction of design
and color by flag makers. Sanford Hutchinson of Greenfield, who
had previously done extensive research on the official design of
the state seal, submitted a flag design that was accepted by the
committee, the Secretary of State, and the Governor. It became
the official flag of Illinois on July 1, 1970.
SB1818 creates a similar committee to the one in 1970, convening
the Secretary of State, three members appointed by the Governor,
four members appointed by the President of the Senate, four
members appointed by the Speaker of the House, four members
appointed the minority leader of the Senate, and four members
appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives, the State Superintendent of Education, and
Chairperson of the Board of the Illinois State Museum.
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker]
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