(CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS) – Thousands of new state flag entries were received by the Illinois Flag Commission. To be exact, 4,844 entries were received during the six-week submission period which closed Oct. 18.

“The contest has encouraged us all to reflect on what makes us proud to be Illinoisans, resulting in some great stories and unique designs reflecting what our state represents,” said Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

Next step is for the commission to meet before the end of the year and choose the top 10 designs. The public will then have an opportunity to vote on the designs or one of three former flag designs.  Those former designs include the current state flag, the 1918 Centennial Flag and the 1968 Sesquicentennial Flag.

After a public feedback period, the commission will report its findings in April to the Illinois General Assembly, whose members will vote on whether to adopt a new flag, return to a previous iteration of the flag or retain the current flag.

Senate Bill 1818, sponsored by Sen. Doris Turner and Rep. Kam Buckner was signed into law in 2023, creating the commission with the goal being to gauge public sentiment on a new flag and to boost civic pride. The state flag has not had a major redesign since 1915.