Illinois

Illinois
Country	United States
Adopted	July 1, 1970 (layout of bird changed in 2022)
Designed by	Sanford Hutchinson (based on original 1915 design)
Proportions	3:5

The flag of the American state of Illinois consists of a white background, with a stylized version of the image of the state seal in the center of the flag, with a blue "ILLINOIS" at the bottom of the flag below the image.

Design story

Governor Richard Ogilvie, who proposed a new design should be adopted.

In 1969, Illinois Governor Richard Buell Ogilvie appointed a committee of historians to design a new state flag. Mrs. Sanford Hutchinson designed the current flag with the word "ILLINOIS" below the emblem as an addition to Lucy Derwent's original design. The new design was adopted in 1970.

Symbolism

The state seal of Illinois and the word "ILLINOIS" both represent Illinois. The white background has no symbolism.

History

Illinois
(1915-1970)

Illinois
(1970-2022)

Illinois
(since 2022)

Flag redesign

On August 28, 2024, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that the Illinois Flag Commission announced that they will accept submissions for a new state flag design by September. This commission was created last year after the 1818 Senate Bill was signed into law, which is to develop a new state flag. This commission will accept design ideas through public by October 18, 2024, and 10 designs will be selected, with voting starting at the beginning of 2025.

On October 29, 2024, 4,844 Flag Design Entries were received and by April 1, 2025, The General Assembly will vote either to vote the new flag design, return to the previous design, or keep the current flag.

Nickname

• The Illinois Eagle