You Could Design Illinois’ New State Flag

Illinois is on the search for a new state flag.

For the first time since 1915, Illinois is looking for a new state flag design, according to NBC Chicago.

Back in the fall, there was a commission created to decide if Illinois needs a new state flag. Today, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that the Illinois Flag Commission is going to start accepting applications for designs of the new state flag.

The commission will then pick their top 10 and put those up for public voting to determine what Illinois' new state flag will look like. Voters will also have the option to just keep the current state flag.

Submission Guidelines

Here's what to know if you want to send in a flag design.

• It can include "natural features of the state, history and culture of the state"
• No limit on colors but 3 or fewer colors is recommended by the commission
• You'll have to send in your name, address, details, and connection to Illinois
• People under 18 can send in designs if it's in coordination with a parent/adult mentor
• Designs can't be AI-generated, use copyrighted material, or stolen from other designs

How To Send In Your Submission

Ready to go? The flag commission will accept new flag design submissions starting on Sept. 3. You can upload them through the commission's online portal.

You will have until October 18th to send in your design. Public voting on the new flag designs will start on January 1st, 2025.

The plan for a new state flag started with Senate Bill 1818 (named after the year Illinois was founded) in an attempt to update the flag and "have a flag that truly represents our state", according to bill sponsor State Sen. Doris Turner.