In 1819, a star was added, representing Illinois, bringing the total number of stars on the U.S. flag to 21. There were thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies.
The flag was originally adopted in 1915 but allowed the emblem to be in color or black. Also, the typical design favored by flag manufacturers didn't correspond exactly to the state arms. Third, some Illinois soldiers in Vietnam said no one knew what flag they were displaying. Therefore in 1970 NAVA member Florence Hutchison of Illinois convinced a state legislator to introduce a bill re-defining the state flag correcting all the "errors" (and making a new one, that of adding the state name to the flag.
Nick Artimovich, 31 July 1997
The original Illinois flag was created in a contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The prize of $25 was won by the Rockford Chapter. The design was approved by the General Assembly on July 6, 1915.
Dov Gutterman, 7 October 1998
Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS)
5 ILCS 460/5. State seal. (a) The reproduction of the emblem only on the "great seal of the State of Illinois" is authorized and permitted when reproduced in black or in the national colors upon a white sheet or background and bearing underneath the emblem in blue letters the word "Illinois" and being an actual reproduction of the great seal, except for the outer ring, for use as a State banner or insignia under the conditions and subject to the restrictions provided by the laws of the United States and the State of Illinois as to the United States or State flag or ensign.
Joe McMillan, 11 February 2000 |
Illinois (IL) State Flag