Illinois

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. It also shows "1868" and "1818" on the rock in black, and a ribbon that the eagle is biting which says, "STATE," "SOVEREIGNTY," "NATIONAL," and "UNION".
==Design story==
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 ==
File:Illinois (1915).svg|Illinois(1915-1970)
File:Illinois (1970-2022).svg|Illinois(1970-2022)
File:Illinois.svg|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.Illinois opens contest to redesign state flag on WGN-TV
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.Illinois flag redesign contest receives nearly 5K entries, begins next steps on WIFR
On December 10, 2024, the flags of the ten shortlisted designs were revealed.TOP 10 FINALISTS - New State Flag Design Contest by the Illinois Flag Commission
Voting opened on January 10, 2025, and will close on February 14, 2025.Voting for the Illinois State Flag Redesign Contest by the Illinois Flag Commission
===Finalist Flags===
====Shortlisted Designs====
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_200.png| Design 200
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_896.png| Design 896
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_2246.png| Design 2246
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_2752.png| Design 2752
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_3679.png| Design 3679
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_3754.png| Design 3754
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_4129.png| Design 4129
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_4220.png| Design 4220
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_4321.png| Design 4321
Illinois_State_Flag_Design_4669.png| Design 4669
====Historical====
Illinois.svg| Current Flag
Illinois Centennial Flag.svg| Centennial Flag
Illinois Sesquicentennial Flag.svg| Sesquicentennial Flag
== Nickname ==
* The Illinois Eagle
==References==
Category:Illinois
Category:United States
Category:White background
Category:Lettering
Category:Proportions 3-5
Category:Birds
Category:Seal
Category:East North Central States and Cities
Category:Eastern USA
Category:Eagles
Category:Red
Category:Blue
Category:Yellow
Category:Gold
Category:Brown
Category:Black
Category:Gray
Category:Green
Category:2001 NAVA State Flag Survey