Results of Illinois Flag Contest Are In – NBC Chicago
After thousands of submissions, 10 finalists, and nearly 385,000 votes, the state of Illinois may not have a new flag after all.
The Results are Overwhelming
“The results are, let’s just say, overwhelming,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulious said in an Instagram video announcing the news. “The current state flag received more than 165,000 votes, or about 43% of the total vote.”
What Happened in the Contest?
Earlier this year, the public had the chance to vote on 10 new designs – finalists from more than 5,000 entries – that could become the new Illinois State Flag. The contest came after the creation of SB1818, which created an Illinois Flag Commission to “gauge public desire for a new flag.”
Also included in public voting was the current state flag, along with three previous design versions.
What’s Next?
The voting period concluded in February. As stated in the bill, members of the General Assembly, taking results of the vote into account, would have the final say on whether to adopt a new flag, return to a previous iteration or retain the current one.
What Did the Illinois Flag Finalists Look Like?
The 10 Illinois flag finalists, not including the current version of the flag, Illinois’ 1918 Centennial Flag and the state’s 1968 Sesquicentennial flag, are below, along with how many votes each entry received.
What Does Illinois’ Current State Flag Look Like?
Illinois’ current flag incorporates the state’s official seal, which was adopted in 1869. The flag itself was adopted in 1915, with a small addition of the state’s name added in 1970, according to the Flag Commission’s website.
Conclusion
The results of the Illinois flag contest are in, and it appears that the current state flag may not be replaced. With the General Assembly having the final say, it remains to be seen whether Illinois will adopt a new flag or retain the current one.
FAQs
Q: What was the purpose of the Illinois flag contest?
A: The contest aimed to gauge public desire for a new Illinois State Flag.
Q: How many votes were cast in the contest?
A: Nearly 385,000 votes were cast.
Q: What was the outcome of the contest?
A: The current state flag received more than 165,000 votes, or about 43% of the total vote.
Q: What happens next?
A: The General Assembly will take the results of the vote into account and decide whether to adopt a new flag, return to a previous iteration or retain the current one.
