The Illinois State Flag The State Flag of Illinois is dominated by the image of the American Bald Eagle depicting the motto "State sovereignty, national union" in its beak. A shield depicting the stars and bars is also prominent. The flag serves as a symbol of honor, heritage and regional pride and is displayed at state buildings. There is a strict Order of Precedence for flags. State Flags are displayed in order as they entered the Union.
Date entered the Union: 1818 Illinois is the 21st state Date the flag was adopted:1915, modified in 1970
Facts on the Illinois State Flag Etiquette Facts and information about flying the ensign and the display of the Illinois Flag:
Illinois State Flag - Display Facts
Fact 1: It may be flown every day in the 21st state when weather permits
Fact 2: It may be flown from sunrise until sunset. If it is displayed outdoors in the "Prairie State", it should be flown from a flagpole
Fact 3: The Illinois ensign may be flown at night when properly lighted
Fact 4: The flagpole may be at least two and one-half times as long as the Illinois flag
Illinois State Flag
Illinois State Car Flags Car Flags are often displayed to represent of an individual's allegiance to their state. Illinois State car flags are used by their owners as mobile emblems of their home. Car flags are usually made from strong materials and are attached to a car via a pole and clip window attachment.
History, Description, Colors and Symbols of the Illinois State Flag The Illinois flag is the official identifying symbol of the state, the design of which is established by law in the constitution of the "Prairie State". What does the flag stand for? The colors, devices and emblems displayed on the Illinois State Flag are not arbitrary but have a definite symbolic meaning. The description, history and meaning of the symbols and colors of the Illinois State Flag are as follows:
Capital: Springfield Date of Statehood: 3 December 1818 (21st state) "Prairie State" Flag Ratio: 3:5
What is the design of the Illinois state flag?
The design is of the Great Seal of Illinois on a white field (background)
The eagle carries a shield in its talons.
The shield held by the eagle depicts stars and stripes representing the original thirteen states of the Union.
The shield rests on an olive branch that is a symbol of peace
Two dates are written on the gray rock. 1868 is the date the seal was adopted. 1818 is the year of statehood
What does the eagle symbolize?
In heraldry the eagle was a symbol held by men of action and ingenuity, occupied with weighty affairs.
The eagle was intended to at once to recall the great Roman Republic and at the same time be uniquely American (the Bald Eagle being indigenous to North America).
The American Bald eagle is depicted with its wings "displayed" which is a symbol of protection.
What are the colors and what do the colors mean, or symbolize, in heraldry?
The color white is a symbol of peace and honesty
The American combination of red, white and blue symbolizes revolution and freedom
What is the shape and flag ratio? The 'Hoist' is the width and the 'Fly' is the length.
The ratio is 3:5 meaning it is 3 units tall for every 5 units wide.
Who designed the Illinois State Flag?
The name of the original designer was by Lucy Derwent (who had won a contest in 1913), but was redesigned in 1970 by Mrs. Sanford Hutchinson.
What is the history of the Illinois State Flag?
The original flag was created in a contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The prize of $25 was won by the Rockford Chapter and was approved by the General Assembly on July 6, 1915
On September 17, 1969 the name of the state was added to the flag
When was the Illinois State Flag officially adopted by the state's legislature? (Most US flags were designed in 19th & 20th centuries)
It was officially adopted June 27, 1969
The Illinois flag is kept and used as required by the code specified in the constitution of the state.
Illinois State Flag for Kids
History, meaning & symbolism
"State sovereignty, national union" Illinois motto
Find the history, meaning and symbols
Meaning, History, Symbols and Origin for kids
Meaning, symbols, design, description and history
Interesting facts & picture of the Illinois flag
Illinois Official Nickname "Prairie State"
Meaning of the Illinois flag for schools, kids and children
