For the first time in decades, Illinois could adopt a new state flag — and you could be the one to design it.
Last year, Senate Bill 1818, aptly named after the year Illinois became a state, created a commission to evaluate the state’s current flag and decide whether or not it was time to design a new one. In August 2023, the bill was signed into law by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
On Wednesday, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that the Illinois Flag Commission will officially get to work and begin accepting public submissions for a new design for the state flag starting September 3.
Applications can be submitted online or by mail through Oct. 18, the statement said. The commission will work with schools and libraries to encourage residents and students to participate.
“I am excited to see the creativity of Illinoisans and how they are displaying their passion for our great state,” Giannoulias said in the announcement. “Symbols that represent and unify our state are important and this is a great opportunity to engage Illinoisans and show their pride.”
From the designs submitted, the commission will select 10 “based on how well they reflect Illinois’ identity,” the statement said. The commission will then hold an online public survey for residents to vote for their favorites — or to keep the current flag, the statement said.
Voting will begin on January 1, 2025, and will last about two months, officials said.
After the vote and public comment, the commission will report its findings to the Illinois General Assembly, where members will vote on whether to adopt a new flag or keep the current design, the announcement said.
Ultimately, the commission will be able to make changes to the projects and will have the final say, the statement said.
“The bill allows the commission to evaluate whether a new state flag would better represent the diversity of the state’s urban, suburban and rural communities and inspire renewed state pride among Illinoisans,” the announcement said.
The redesign process will largely be modeled after Utah, which in 2021 created a task force to solicit design proposals from libraries, schools and other institutions. In total, more than 7,000 proposals were ultimately submitted.
Illinois is the latest state to seek a new flag design, according to the announcement, with Minnesota unveiling a new flag in December 2023. Michigan and Maine are also considering an official change to their state flags, Giannoulias’ office said.
Here’s how to submit a design and what else you need to know.
Submission Guidelines
Design elements may include natural features, history and culture of the state, the statement said. There are no limits on the shape or ratio of the flag, but designs can be modified by the commission, the statement added.
There is also no color limit, but a design of less than three colors is recommended by the commission.
Entrants must provide their first and last name, address, email address and phone number when submitting a design. They must also explain their connection to Illinois and provide a description of their flag, according to the announcement.
Individuals under the age of 18 may submit drawings if submitted in coordination with a parent/guardian, teacher or adult mentor, officials said.
Designs must not be generated by AI, copied from other designs, or use existing logos or copyrighted elements. However, the design may include elements or reproductions of the state seal or any previous Illinois state flag, officials said.
Officials also said that by submitting a project, the participant “authorizes the Commission and the State of Illinois to take ownership of the project.”
How to submit a flag project
Entrants can visit www.ilsos.gov and upload online or submit their design by mail to Illinois Flag Commission, Howlett Building, Room 476, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756
To upload an image, the file must be 5MB or less and in PNG, GIF, or JPG format. The image must not have a watermark or frame.
Submissions are limited to three per person.
Requests from outside the United States, such as military bases, should be sent by regular mail, the statement said.
Important deadlines
The commission will begin accepting new flag designs from September 1.
Entries can be submitted online or by mail, until October 18.
Public voting on the projects will begin on January 1, 2025, and will last about two months, officials said.
What the Illinois flag currently looks like
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the first Illinois state flag was adopted in 1915 and it looked very similar to today’s banner.
He simply used the Great Seal of the State of Illinois, which depicts a bald eagle holding a banner that reads “State Sovereignty, National Union.” It was modeled after the Great Seal of the United States.
The dates “1818” and “1868” on the seal represent the year Illinois was established as a state and the year the state seal was redesigned, according to the IDNR.
The original flag was modified in September 1969, with the word “Illinois” added at the bottom.
Why design a new flag?
State Sen. Doris Turner, who sponsored Senate Bill 1818, called history “breathing and ever-evolving” in comments made after the Senate passed a bill to establish the commission, and said she hopes the design of a new flag will inspire renewed civic pride among state residents.
“We need to make sure that government evolves with the times, so that people are involved and engaged in what’s happening in this state,” she said in a statement.
She also cited the state’s diverse makeup, including a major metropolis like Chicago and communities large and small that are an economic engine for the Midwest.
“Illinois is a diverse state made up of rural, urban and suburban communities, and it is known for its agriculture, strong workforce, the home of Abraham Lincoln and so much more,” she said. “Our flag does not reflect that. It is time we have a flag that truly represents our state.”
In Wednesday’s announcement, state Rep. Kam Buckner, who serves on the commission, said, “a new design offers a unique opportunity to honor our heritage while showcasing Illinois’ evolving history.”
