SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A newly created commission will look into the potential of redesigning one of Illinois’ state symbols.
The Illinois Flag Commission was made official Monday after Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1818 into law. 1818 is also the year Illinois officially became a state.
The commission will look into creating a new state flag and designs for it. It will make up to ten recommendations to the General Assembly and submit a report by December 2024.
If a new flag is created, it would be the third in the state’s history. The first was adopted on July 6th, 1915. The current design debuted on July 1st, 1970.
“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,” Pritzker said. “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.”
The commission will be made up of 22 members, including the Secretary of State, members appointed by legislative leaders, the State Superintendent of Education, and the Chairperson of the Board of the Illinois State Museum.
