
What is the state flag of Illinois?
The flag of Illinois State is a white banner with the seal of Illinois and the state name in blue under it in the middle of the banner. The seal of Illinois State consists of a rock inscribed with the years 1868 and 1818.
What is the history of the Illinois State Seal?
Design. The dates on the seal, 1818 and 1868, represent the year Illinois became a state and the year in which the Great Seal was redesigned by Sharon Tyndale. Although "State Sovereignty" comes first in the motto, "State" is at the bottom and "Sovereignty" is upside-down.
What is the 100th anniversary flag for Illinois?
Illinois Centennial design. For Illinois's first 100 years of statehood in 1918, Wallace Rice, who designed Chicago's flag, designed a centennial flag for the state. It had three horizontal bands of equal width alternating white, blue, white. It was charged with 21 stars along the edge of the hoist.
What is the significance of the boulder on the Illinois state flag?
The ground around the boulder symbolizes the rich soil of this prairie state. A blazing sun is seen rising over an expanse of water in the background and though these have no noted symbolic reason it could be they represent the hot and humid climate of Illinois and its vast array of rivers.

Why is 1868 on the Illinois flag?
There are 13 stars and 13 stripes on the shield in Illinois state flag for the original 13 states of the Union. On the rock the eagle perches upon, the dates 1868 and 1818 are printed, celebrating the date Illinois was admitted to the union (1818) and the date the state seal was officially adopted (1868.)
Who created the Illinois flag?
In 1913, five years prior to the centennial of statehood, Wallace Rice submitted a proposal for an Illinois state flag. It had horizontal white-blue-white stripes with 20 blue stars and one large white star, representing Illinois's position as the 21st state to join the Union.
What does the year 1818 represent for Illinois?
26, 1818," the date that the first Illinois Constitution was signed in Kaskaskia, appeared between the circles. After Illinois gained statehood in December 1818, the First General Assembly decreed on February 19, 1819, that state officials should procure a permanent State Seal.
What was added to the Illinois flag in 1969?
August 26, 1818, is the date that the first Illinois Constitution was signed. In 1969 the current flag design was approved (the word "ILLINOIS" was added, as well as the sun on Lake Michigan's horizon in the background).
Was the flag design after the state of Illinois entered into the Union in 1818?
Illinois was the 21st state admitted to the Union on December 3, 1818. The state did not adopt a state flag until 1915, 97 years after it became a state. The current flag has a white field, and part of the Illinois state seal is featured in the center.
What do the dates on the Illinois flag mean?
In the eagle's claws is a shield with thirteen bars and thirteen stars, this represents the first thirteen states. The two dates on the boulder are the dates of Statehood and of the State Seal. The ground around it symbolizes the state's rich prairie soil.
How many flags has Illinois had?
two officialIllinois has had two official state flags. The first was officially adopted on July 6, 1915, after a vigorous campaign by Mrs.
Why does the Chicago flag have 6 pointed stars?
The four six-pointed red stars represent major historical events: Fort Dearborn, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, and the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933–34.
What do the five stars on the Chicago flag stand for?
The first star on the left is to remember the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The second star represents the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. The 3rd star commemorates the Century of Progress International Exposition of 1933. And the final star was added in 1939 to honor Fort Dearborn.
Why does Chicago have its own flag?
The white and blue areas represent the city's physical geography. The three white bands stand for the north, west and south sides of the city, while the blue stripes are symbolic of the city's important bodies of water.
What state flag has a bald eagle?
States with the bald eagle on their flag or seal include: Alabama, Illinois, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
How many stars are on the Illinois flag?
Four bright red stars, with six sharp points each, are set side by side, close together, in the middle third of the surface of the flag....Flag of Chicago.Proportion2:3AdoptedOriginal, 1917; additional stars added, 1933 and 1939.DesignArgent four mullets of six points gules in fess between two bars bleu de ciel.5 more rows
What is Illinois fruit?
State Fruit: The GoldRush apple was named the Illinois State Fruit in 2007.
What are some facts about the Illinois state flag?
The flag of the state of Illinois consists of the seal of Illinois on a white background, with the word "Illinois" underneath the seal. The present seal was adopted in 1869, the flag bearing the central elements of the seal was adopted in 1915, and the word Illinois was added to the flag in 1970.
Which country's flag has a hexagram?
Flag of IsraelThe flag of Israel (Hebrew: דגל ישראל Degel Yīsraʾel; Arabic: علم إسرائيل ʿAlam Israʾīl) was adopted on 28 October 1948, five months after the establishment of the State of Israel. It depicts a blue hexagram on a white background, between two horizontal blue stripes.
What does the date at the bottom of the Great Seal of Illinois mean?
The date of the state's first constitution, Aug. 26, 1818, appears along the bottom arc of the circle, and 1818, the year of statehood, displays on the seal below 1868, the year the current seal was adopted.
What is the meaning of the state flag?
A state flag is a variant of a national flag (or occasionally a completely different design) specifically designated and restricted by law or custom (theoretically or actually) to use by a country's government or its agencies.
What is the Illinois motto?
State Sovereignty, National UnionIllinois / Motto
What do the three colors on the American flag represent?
According to custom and tradition, white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
What picture is on the Illinois flag?
The Great Seal of the State of Illinois is the official emblem of the state, and signifies the official nature of a document produced by the state of Illinois. The current flag depicts the Great Seal of Illinois, which was originally designed in 1819 and emulated the Great Seal of the United States.
How did Illinois get its motto?
The slogan was adopted by the General Assembly in 1955. The State of Illinois has a copyright for the exclusive use of the slogan. This nickname was given to Illinois by the first settlers to arrive here due to the vast expanses of prairie.
Why does Chicago have its own flag?
The white and blue areas represent the city's physical geography. The three white bands stand for the north, west and south sides of the city, while the blue stripes are symbolic of the city's important bodies of water.
What are some facts about the Illinois state flag?
The flag of the state of Illinois consists of the seal of Illinois on a white background, with the word "Illinois" underneath the seal. The present seal was adopted in 1869, the flag bearing the central elements of the seal was adopted in 1915, and the word Illinois was added to the flag in 1970.
Which country's flag has a hexagram?
Flag of IsraelThe flag of Israel (Hebrew: דגל ישראל Degel Yīsraʾel; Arabic: علم إسرائيل ʿAlam Israʾīl) was adopted on 28 October 1948, five months after the establishment of the State of Israel. It depicts a blue hexagram on a white background, between two horizontal blue stripes.
When did Illinois change its flag?
During the 1960s, a petition was submitted to amend the state flag law by adding the state name to the existing official flag. Bruce McDaniel, chief petty officer, had noted that those he served with in Vietnam had not recognized the Illinois’ banner. He thought adding the state name would resolve that issue. The bill was signed into law by the governor in 1969. Mrs. Sanford Hutchinson designed the new flag and it became the official state flag in 1970.
Who was the first person to adopt the Illinois flag?
The adoption of Illinois’ first official state flag was initiated by Ella Park Lawrence, the state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR, in 1912. She did not succeed but continued to push for the adoption of a flag. In an effort to reach that goal, she announced a state flag design contest. Out of 35 designs entered into the contest, the winner was Lucy Derwent. Although her design was passed in the House and the Senate, the governor did not sign or veto the bill. As a result, the bill became law in 1915.
What state was the first to have a centennial flag?
In 1918, Wallace Rice designed a centennial flag for the state of Illinois. The field had three horizontal stripes of white, blue and white. Illinois was the 21st state admitted to the union. To represent that fact, Rice’s design featured one white star in the center of the middle blue stripe symbolize Illinois; ten blue stars, representing the ten northern states, were placed in the white edge along the upper fly, and ten blue stars along the lower white edge of the fly represented the ten southern states.
What state has a blue and white flag?
In 1918, Wallace Rice designed a centennial flag for the state of Illinois. The field had three horizontal stripes of white, blue and white. Illinois was the 21st state admitted to the union.
The Push for a State Flag
Illinois had no state flag for almost 100 years after becoming a state. In 1912—6 years before the state’s centennial celebration—Ella Park Lawrence, the state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) at the time, began the push for an Illinois state flag.
Initial Illinois Flag Design
Derwent’s design consisted of a white field behind elements of the state seal. The initial Illinois flag design showed an eagle standing on a rock, holding a shield with the national Stars and Stripes in its claw. The state motto, “State sovereignty—national union,” also appeared on a ribbon in the eagle’s beak.
When was the Illinois flag adopted?
The present seal was adopted in 1869, the flag bearing the central elements of the seal was adopted in 1915, and the word Illinois was added to the flag in 1970.
What is the Illinois flag?
The Great Seal of the State of Illinois is the official emblem of the state, and signifies the official nature of a document produced by the state of Illinois. The flag of the state of Illinois consists of the seal of Illinois on a white background, with the word " Illinois" underneath the seal. The present seal was adopted in 1869, ...
What is the Illinois state logo?
The logo, designed by Ben Olsen, features a blue silhouette of the state with the word ILLINOIS above. In the center of the silhouette, is a sunburst effect with the number 200 in gold. Along the right side is the word Bicentennial also in gold from bottom to top and beneath are the dates 1818 and 2018.
What is the state motto on the Illinois eagle?
In the eagle's beak there is a banner with the state motto, " State Sovereignty, National Union .". The dates on the seal, 1818 and 1868, represent the year Illinois became a state and the year in which the Great Seal was redesigned by Sharon Tyndale. Although "State Sovereignty" comes first in the motto, "State" is at the bottom ...
How many stars were in the Illinois hoist?
It was charged with 21 stars along the edge of the hoist. There were 10 blue stars in the upper white band and 10 in the lower white band, representing the 10 northern and 10 southern states at the time of Illinois' statehood in 1818. The center blue band had one large, white star for the state of Illinois itself.
What does the 13 stars on the Illinois shield represent?
Thirteen stars and thirteen stripes on the shield represent the original thirteen states of the Union. The date August 26, 1818, when Illinois's first constitution was adopted in Kaskaskia, appears along the bottom arc of the circle, and 1818, the year of statehood, displays on the seal below 1868, the year the current seal was adopted.
When was the Illinois seal first used?
The first Great Seal of the State of Illinois was adopted in 1819 by the first Illinois General Assembly. The first law authorizing the Great Seal required the Secretary of State of Illinois to procure and keep the seal. The first seal engraved was essentially a copy of the Great Seal of the United States. It was used until 1839, when it was recut.
Brief Background of the Illinois Flag
The Great Seal of the State of Illinois is the state's official symbol and denotes the legitimacy of any document issued by the state. The word "Illinois" appears beneath the state seal of Illinois on a white backdrop, forming the state's flag.
Illinois Flag Design
The Great Seal of Illinois, which was modeled after the Great Seal of the United States and was created in 1819, is shown on the current flag. State Sovereignty, National Union is written on a flag in the eagle's beak.
History of the State Seal Seen on the Illinois State Flag
The first Illinois General Assembly authorized the use of the state's first great seal in 1819. The Secretary of State of Illinois was mandated to acquire and maintain the Great Seal by the first law that authorized it. The first engraved seal was essentially a replica of the American national crest, the Great Seal.
Facts About the Illinois Flag
In order to ensure uniformity in the reproduction of the design and color by flag makers, Governor Ogilvie created a committee made up of the State Historian, the Director of the Illinois Information Service, and the State Records Archivist to develop specifications for the new state flag.
What Kinds of Illinois State Flags does Carrot-Top Offer?
Carrot-Top is proud to offer indoor, outdoor and mini-Illinois state flags!
Our Illinois State Flags are Made in the USA
Our Illinois state flags are all proudly made in the USA with the highest quality and standards of craftsmanship. These flags are something you can be proud to put on display.
Let Our Flag Experts Help You Today!
Over 40 years of expertise and experience can be found at Carrot-Top Industries. Please know that we are here to help you when you are ready to place an order. You can contact our team or place an online order.
Who designed the Illinois flag?
The Illinois state secretary Lewis Stevenson led a panel to pick the best design. Lucy Derwent’s design won and was officially adopted on July 6, 1915. Bruce McDaniel, a non-commissioned officer of the navy, raised a petition to have the state name Illinois incorporated to the original flag design in the 1960s. The petition was approved on September 17, 1969, and Mrs. Sanford Hutchinson was to design the new flag. On July 1, 1970, Hutchinson’s design, which is the present flag, became the official flag.
When was the Illinois State Seal first adopted?
The Illinois state seal was first adopted in 1819 , and was redesigned in 1839 to the second seal. In 1867, Sharon Tyndale, the state secretary, campaigned to have a third seal of the state with the words of the state motto altered to, ‘National Unity, State Sovereignty.’ The request to interchange the motto was declined but Tyndale was tasked in designing the new seal.
When was the Illinois flag adopted?
This chosen competition winning flag was officially adopted on July the 16th 1915.
Why is the Illinois flag upside down?
Anyone looking close enough will notice that the word sovereignty has been printed upside down on the states flag. This is because a secretary of state wished to change the motto to ‘state sovereignty, national union’ and when this move was not approved he turned the word upside down . No one knows whether this was done out of spite, playfulness or even intentionally.
How many stars are on the Illinois shield?
The shield contains thirteen bars and thirteen stars which as with many state flags represents the original thirteen colonies. Interestingly Illinois is not one of the thirteen original colonies, but rather joined in 1818 becoming the 21st state.
What is the rock that bears the date of Illinois being admitted to the Union?
Beneath the bald eagles talon is a rock on which it stands that bears the date of Illinois being admitted to the union (1818) and the date of the state seal (1868). The ground around the boulder symbolizes the rich soil of this prairie state.
Do you need a link back for flags?
If you use these flags on your own website, please provide a link back to us. Your link ensures others can find these images too. When using our black and white line drawings, a link back to use is required. For all other flags, a link back is optional but greatly appreciated.
Who designed the Illinois flag?from www2.illinois.gov
The move to design a new state flag was initiated by Chief Petty Officer Bruce McDaniel of Waverly, then serving in Vietnam. The Illinois flag was one of many state flags that were hung on the walls of his mess hall; its identity was always questioned, so McDaniel requested that the flag carry the state's name.
How many flags are there in Illinois?from www2.illinois.gov
Illinois has had two official state flags. The first was officially adopted on July 6, 1915, after a vigorous campaign by Mrs. Ella Park Lawrence, State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Early in 1912, Mrs. Lawrence began visiting local D.A.R. chapters throughout Illinois seeking cooperation in promoting selection of an official state banner to place in the Continental Memorial Hall in Washington, D.C. A prize of $25 was offered to the Chapter submitting the best design for the banner and four judges were selected to choose the winner. Thirty-five designs were submitted and the Rockford Chapter entry designed by Miss Lucy Derwent was chosen. State Senator Raymond D. Meeker introduced the bill that was to legalize the flag. The measure passed both Houses of the General Assembly and automatically became a law on July 6, 1915, when Governor Edward F. Dunne failed to affix his signature to the bill.
What is a pirogue in Illinois?from www2.illinois.gov
Illinois designated the pirogue as the official state artifact in 2016. A pirogue is a canoe made by hollowing-out a tree trunk. The pirogue was promoted by eighth-grade students at St. Joseph School in Wilmette as a tribute to the Native Americans who were the first inhabitants of Illinois.
What kind of oak is the state tree in Illinois?from www2.illinois.gov
In 1908, Illinois schoolchildren voted for the State Tree. They could select from native oak, maple and elm. The native oak was chosen as the State Tree. There are many kinds of oak in Illinois, so a special vote was taken in 1973 to pick the type of oak for the State Tree.
What is the name of the state amphibian in Illinois?from www2.illinois.gov
Illinois State Amphibian - Eastern Tiger Salamander. . The eastern tiger salamander ( Ambystoma tigrinum) was named Illinois’ State Amphibian after a vote of Illinois citizens in 2004 and approval by the General Assembly in 2005. Click here for more information about the eastern tiger salamander.
What is the state grain of Illinois?from www2.illinois.gov
Corn was named the official Illinois state grain of Illinois as of January 1, 2018. Agricultural commodities generate more than $19 billion annually for Illinois, and corn accounts for 54 percent of that total, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
When did Illinois make popcorn the state snack food?from www2.illinois.gov
The General Assembly made that designation official in 2003.
Overview
Design
The current flag depicts the Great Seal of Illinois, which was originally designed in 1819 and emulated the Great Seal of the United States. In the eagle's beak there is a banner with the state motto, "State Sovereignty, National Union." The dates on the seal, 1818 and 1868, represent the year Illinois became a state and the year in which the Great Seal was redesigned by Sharon Tyndale. Although "State Sovereignty" comes first in the motto, "State" is at the bottom and "Sov…
Seal history
The first Great Seal of the State of Illinois was adopted in 1819 by the first Illinois General Assembly. The first law authorizing the Great Seal required the Secretary of State of Illinois to procure and keep the seal. The first seal engraved was essentially a copy of the Great Seal of the United States. It was used until 1839, when it was recut. The seal designed in 1839 became the Second Great Seal.
Flag history
During her time as state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 1912, Ella Park Lawrence began a campaign to have Illinois adopt a state flag. She was unsuccessful during her time as state regent, but continued to lobby members of the Illinois General Assembly to adopt a state flag as a member of the Rockford chapter of the DAR. On April 1, 1914, Lawrence sent a …
Government seals of Illinois
• Seal of the Attorney General of Illinois
• Seal of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
• Seal of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
See also
• Illinois Centennial half dollar
• Symbols of Illinois
External links
• The Great Seal of the State of Illinois
• Illinois State Flag