Illinois Flag Commission announces 10 finalists for new state flag competition

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KMOX) - The Illinois Flag Commission announced Tuesday the top 10 finalists for their state flag competition.

Residents can vote on the ideas online beginning Jan. 1 or can also vote on whether to keep the current flag. Voting will last six weeks.

After that, Illinois General Assembly will vote on whether to adopt a new flag or retain the current flag one.

Here's a list of the 10 finalists for the state flag competition.

Designed by a 18-year-old who was born in Moline with parents both born and raised in Illinois and currently live on Rock Island.

The flag is divided into seven stripes in a pattern of white and blue alternating. The biggest blue stripe represents Lake Michigan, while the smaller blue stripes represent the state’s various rivers, such as the Mississippi and the Illinois.

The center blue stripe contains 20 smaller stars surrounding a center star, representing Illinois as the 21st state. The small white stripes represent the state’s industry and commerce, while the bigger white stripes represent the state’s agriculture.

Designed by a man whose late wife, Maureen Thomas (1952-2023), was born was in raised in Oak Park, Illinois.

The idea from the designer is simply an embellishment to the existing flag (helps to save money on an entire new design). Placing red and blue vertical bars on each end (with a narrow white stripe in between the colors) eliminates the ‘seal-on-bedsheet’ look.

Not overly imaginative, but practical and economic.

Designers connection to Illinois runs deep, with ancestors immigrating from Ireland in the early 1900s and settled in Gridley, IL, where they farmed corn, soybeans, and raised livestock.

Designer's father grew up on that same farm, while their mother was raised in Champaign. Parents met at Illinois State University, where designer also went to and earned their Bachelor of Arts in graphic design.

The idea from the designer is the 21 stripes represent Illinois as the 21st state and reflect its agricultural roots, resembling rows of crops and the open prairie.

Three six-pointed stars represent the state’s three regions*northern, central, and southern*and their 18 points reference Illinois’ founding in 1818.

A sun on the horizon, also featured on the current state flag, represents renewal. The colors *Blue for unity, Green for agriculture, and Yellow for a bright future* honor Illinois’ history and natural beauty.

Designer has lived in Illinois for their entire life (40 years). Designer grew up in Naperville and then moved to Chicago where they lived for about 18 years before moving to Des Plaines.

Designer's flag uses a silhouette design of the state of Illinois as the focal point. The designer says they always felt Illinois had a distinct outline.

21 stars circle the state to symbolize it being the 21st state to enter the Union. Additionally, the designer used the circular design to symbolize Illinois being a kind of center of the country, whether it is geographically or from Chicago serving as a hub for train and air traffic.

Finally, the blue edges represent the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan which flank the state.

Ever since designer was a kid, they have been proud to call Springfield home. Designer come from generations of Illinoisans and have chosen to raise their family here as well. Designer has spent much of their life exploring the state and experiencing its wonders firsthand what they have found is there is much to what makes Illinois great: our rich history, our landscape, our variety of people and the places they live.

The outline of Abraham Lincoln symbolizes liberty, opportunity and the equality of all people.

The outline of Illinois symbolizes the pride we share for our state. The circle of 21 stars represents our communal togetherness and honors our state being the 21st to join the USA.

The white star symbolizes Chicago and its upper-right location. Dark blue represents our blue-collar attitude and industrial power.

Gold represents our prairie and agricultural history. White represents our bright spirit.

Designer has lived in Illinois for nearly 10 years and have grown to love the state, with the designer highlighting it’s an excellent place to settle down, with welcoming people who have always made them feel at home. From stunning city views to beautiful countryside, the designer's appreciation for Illinois has deepened.

A large gold star in the center draws attention, much like the standout features of our state. Gold color symbolizes out the richness in our state, people, land and views.

A horizontal blue line symbolizes lake Michigan, separating the sky from the rich land. Two smaller lines add a neat, elegant touch. The central circle abstractly represents the view from above Abraham Lincoln’s hat.

The four dark blue bars in this submission represent the four geographic features that hold the greatest geographic, economic, and historic significance in the creation of Illinois: Lake Michigan, the Mississippi River, the Ohio River, and the Chicago River/ Illinois River system.

The corn kernels and 21-pronged gear that form our state flower, the violet, represent the agricultural and industrial foundations of our state and its status as the 21st state admitted to the Union.

The flag was designed by high school students living in Illinois named Johnna and Spresalynn.

The state butterfly, the Monarch, is the focal point of this flag that includes 21 stars for Illinois being the 21st state (the large star represents Illinois).

The orange represents success, determination, and creativity while the blue stands for trust, loyalty, and sincerity and strength.

Designer says he only found out about the commission only days ago after spending two years abroad.

The designer says they found this old design from 2016 just today, but it needs works as it lacks our current eagle, perhaps to be placed in white silhouette above the star. This slice of Old Glory is also a nod to the French flag, banners which both stood here. A single star shines our contribution to the union. Abe’s silhouette reminds us of our past.

The red field highlights our present: Illinois’ most iconic border, formed by the mighty Mississippi. It’s steady flow, as progress itself, cuts through our banner in white leading us ever to the future. The flag still lacks any representation of our Illiniwek and Miami heritage, which should be added by their progeny.

According to the designer, the 21 red + white stripes represent Illinois as the 21st state of this union. The blue field with the six-pointed white star represents Chicago. The negative space between the blue and white fields form the shape of an I to represent Illinois.