Illinois State Flag

The Illinois state flag is the official flag of Illinois. A white field covers the entire flag. The state seal appears in full color at the center, and this format appears in the broader list of U.S. state flags.

Below the seal, the word Illinois appears in blue. The seal shows a bald eagle perched on a rock with wings uplifted, holding a shield in its talons and a banner in its beak.

The Illinois state flag represents liberty and strength through the bald eagle. The seal depicts Illinois as part of the Union while maintaining state sovereignty. The design reflects the balance between state and federal power and aligns with themes in Illinois's nickname history.

The eagle holds a banner reading State Sovereignty, National Union. This motto reflects the relationship between Illinois and the federal government. Secretary of State Sharon Tyndale twisted the banner so the word Sovereignty appears upside down, making it less readable than National Union.

Illinois became the 21st state on December 3, 1818. The first Great Seal was adopted in 1819 and essentially copied the Great Seal of the United States. This seal was recut in 1839, becoming the Second Great Seal, with broader context in states and capital cities reference data.

Illinois Secretary of State Sharon Tyndale spearheaded the drive to create a third state seal. In 1867, he asked State Senator Allen C. Fuller to introduce legislation requiring a new seal. Tyndale suggested reversing the motto from State Sovereignty, National Union to National Union, State Sovereignty. The legislature kept the original wording. Tyndale designed the new seal anyway, twisting the banner so Sovereignty appears upside down. The seal was officially adopted in 1868.

Ella Park Lawrence began a campaign to adopt a state flag in 1912 during her time as state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. On April 1, 1914, she announced a contest to design an Illinois state flag. Thirty-five designs were submitted. Lucy Derwent's design won. The flag became official on July 6, 1915.

In the 1960s, Chief Petty Officer Bruce McDaniel petitioned to have the state name added to the flag. He noted that many people he served with during the Vietnam War did not recognize the banner. Governor Richard B. Ogilvie signed the addition into law on September 17, 1969. The new flag, designed by Sanford Hutchinson, became official on July 1, 1970.

The Illinois state flag uses white as the primary field color. The state seal adds red, white, and blue matching the U.S. national flag, plus supporting colors. Illinois Executive Order 1970-2 outlines official color values with Cable and Pantone specifications.