(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Illinois state flag that has been around in mostly the same form for over a century could soon be getting a makeover.
Proposed legislation would have the state consider new designs.
Sponsoring state Sen. Doris Turner says it’s about engaging residents. The Springfield Democrat wants to set up a commission of 21 people representing a variety of groups in the state to discuss the idea.
“I don’t even want to start talking about what it would look like,” Turner tells WBBM Newsradio. “I think we want to see what people in the state think that it should look like and go from there.”
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says the white flag featuring a bald eagle standing on a rock with a ribbon in its mouth was designed by Miss Lucy Derwent for a Daughters of the American Revolution contest. It was adopted as the official state flag in 1915.
The state’s name was added to the design in 1970.
Sen. Turner points to an effort in Utah as a success in soliciting ideas and debate. However, opponents of the new design filed paperwork this week to challenge it.
Illinois Senate Bill 1818 passed out of committee on Wednesday and is now before the full Senate.
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