The flag of Illinois, which we are familiar with and appreciate, will undergo changes as a result of the bill signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker.
It has been more than a century since the Illinois flag was last changed. Senate Bill 1818 which was named the year after Illinois became a state the bill makes a commission to oversee the state’s current flag and to decide when its time for a new design.
With Pritzker’s signature on the bill officially and it being approved by the General Assembly, a new flag will be chosen.
The history of the current Illinois flag
The current state flag of Illinois is almost identical to the first one created and used in 1915. It features the Great Seal of the state, which depicts a bald eagle holding a banner that reads “State Sovereignty, National Union.” The Great Seal of the United States inspired this design.
Additionally, the seal has two dates 1818 and 1868, which represent the year the state’s seal was redesigned and the year Illinois became a state.
In September 1969, a new flag was made, which was added to Illinois underneath the original picture.
The first flag that was made in 1915 was used due to Ella Park Laurence, a State Regent. There were also 35 different designs submitted and the design that was chosen was from Lucy Derwent the flag become law the very same day.
But in September 1969, they changed the flag. Instead of the original flag saying just having the state seal and date, a new design was made by Sanford Hutchinson of Greenfield, which includes “Illinois” under the picture, and that design is the one we know and love today.
Furthermore, the flag in 1969 was accepted by the committee, the secretary of state, and the governor.
Sb1818 creates a committee to propose changes to the new state flag, similar to the 1970 committee of 18 members.
The Reasoning for a new state flag
Doris Turner sponsored the SB1818. She said history is always evolving after the bill was passed.
Additionally, she stated a new design will give new civic pride to the Illinois residents. She also said, “We have to make sure the government is growing and changing the same as time is for people can be engaged and part of the change.”
The state is a diverse amount of people, including large cities like Chicago and other communities.
The diversity isn’t just people, it’s made of urban, suburban, and even rural areas communities. Illinois is known for its agriculture and its workforce being the home of Abraham Lincoln and much more, but our flag doesn’t represent that now it’s time for a flag that will.
Governor JB Pritzker said he is proud to sign SB1818 to make a new flag. He stated, “205 years with the same flag. Now it’s time to make a new one to speak our values.”
Our state flag shows who we are as a state lifting the history and values. Following that, the bill will make sure our flag stays as a symbol of our progress and the ideals we hold with honor.
Juliana Stratton said, “With a new flag a new era comes with it that will portray every person in Illinois.”
The new flag design will be chosen on Dec 3, 2024, no later.
Illinois is modeling its design process after Utah’s. Utah made a task force that collected designs from schools and different institutions.
By Samuel Cruz
Sources:
NBC5 CHICAGO: New Illinois State flag could become reality as Gov. Pritzker approves commission
ILLINOIS.GOV: Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill to Explore Creation of New State Flag
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of artistmac Flickr Page–Creative Commons License
Inset Image by freestock Courtesy of Nicolas Raymond Flickr Page–Creative Commons License
