In year 1912, the
state flag of Illinois was designed by Lucy Derwent. The design was chosen during a contest sponsored by the Rockford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The contest was led by Mrs.Ella Park Lawrence who was the state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution during that time.
When the flag of Illinois was to become official, Governor Edward F. Dunne did not sign the bill but he did not also veto it. The Illinois flag became the official state flag for Illinois on July 6, 1915 which also followed its passage in the Illinois Senate and State House.
During the 1960s, there was a petition to have the name of the state of Illinois on the flag. This petition was spearheaded by Chief Petty Officer Bruce McDaniel. Bruce Mcdaniel said that his service during the Vietnam War, there were a lot of people who did not recognize the flag of the state of Illinois. On September 17, 1969, Governor Richard B. Ogilvie signed the addition of the name of the flag into a law. It was designed by Mrs. Sanford Hutchinson right after. The flag then became the official flag of Illinois on July 1, 1970.
The design of the current
flag of Illinois is the Great Seal of Illinois showing its state name right at the bottom. The design, which has been emulated from the Great Seal of the United States was originally designed during the year 1819. When we look closely at the beak of the eagle we can see a message that says "State Sovereignty, National Union". This is the official motto of the state.
by:
The Flagman
