Interested in designing a new flag for the state of Illinois? A deadline to do so is rapidly approaching.
The Illinois Flag Commission’s submission deadlines for new banners will arrive this week, with the group then evaluating the designs and selecting a handful to go up for a public vote early next year.
Here’s what to know.
How can submissions be made?
Participants can visit www.ilsos.gov and upload online or submit their design via mail addressed to Illinois Flag Commission, Howlett Building, Room 476, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756
To upload an image, the file will need to be 5 MB or less and in PNG, GIF, or JPG format. There should be no watermarks or frames around the image.
Submissions are limited to three per person.
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Are there rules for designs?
According to the commission, the banner must “reflect the identity of Illinois.”
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Officials say there is no limit on what colors must be used, but a loose guideline is that flag designs should have three or fewer colors.
Designs may not be generated using artificial intelligence, and cannot include existing logos or copyrighted materials.
Elements of the State Steal of Illinois, or any prior state flag design, can be used in new designs, according to officials.
Design elements can include natural features of the state, history and culture of the state, the announcement said. There is no limit on flag shape or ratio, but designs may be edited by the commission, the announcement added.
What other information is required?
Participants are required to submit their name, address, phone number and email address, and are required to explain their relationship to Illinois, as well as a description of their design.
When is the deadline?
According to the Illinois Flag Commission, the public submission deadline for designs is Friday, Oct. 18.
What will happen after the deadline?
The commission will look through the designs submitted, and will chose a total of 10 to be put up for a public online vote, which is set to take place in January.
Once that voting is completed, the designs will be presented to the General Assembly, which will then not only decide whether or not to move forward with a new flag, but will also choose the design that will be used for a new banner.
