Current Illinois State Flag Wins Redesign Contest with 43% Vote

Illinois residents have overwhelmingly voted to retain the current state flag, which received over 165,000 votes—43% of nearly 385,000 cast—outperforming the next five top designs combined. This decision was announced by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who noted that the current flag has not seen a major redesign in a century. The Illinois Flag Commission, established by Senate Bill 1818 in 2023, will prepare a report based on these results for the General Assembly by April 1, when lawmakers will decide whether to keep the current flag or adopt a new design. Despite some criticism labeling the flag as a 'seal on a bedsheet,' Giannoulias emphasized the strong public preference for the existing symbol of state pride. The contest included ten new designs and three former flags, highlighting a significant engagement from the public on this issue. The commission received a total of 4,844 design submissions before narrowing it down to the top contenders for voting.