10 Terrible ones https://www.ilsos.gov/special/IFC/10finalists.pdf

We lose a lot of rights when we look the other way when it doesn't affect our lives or it isn't a cause we agree with.

What is the one in the middle even supposed to be? It looks like New Jersey.

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.

What is the one in the middle even supposed to be? It looks like New Jersey.

Lincoln looking mournfully at Illinois

Some downstate shit stain wants to commemorate the state by making everybody think of Peoria.

We lose a lot of rights when we look the other way when it doesn't affect our lives or it isn't a cause we agree with.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.

Some downstate shit stain wants to commemorate the state by making everybody think of Peoria.

What is the one in the middle even supposed to be? It looks like New Jersey.

Are you stoned or pissed off, or both, when you create these postings?

I thought Abe Lincoln was cancelled?

We lose a lot of rights when we look the other way when it doesn't affect our lives or it isn't a cause we agree with.

If one of the Top 10 Finalists consists of little more than adding red and blue bars on the sides of the existing flag so, in the words of the person who submitted the design, it minimizes the "seal on a bedsheet" look, I shudder to think of what the rejects looked like.

Maybe one of them was an actual seal on a bedsheet.

Why was there no Obama flag?

Harebrained sells this on a tshirt

The Lincoln one is actually pretty good. Solid color scheme, good explanation, ties to history…

Chicago has a very simple and awesome flag for those same reasons. I think you could tinker with the color scheme to minimize the very bold, in your face navy blue.

Assuming you can make that tweak, the Lincoln flag is something I could envision tatted on some guy’s calf at Six Flags.

I’m with you, if you’re going to redesign the flag for stupid and/or no good reasons, don’t pick something terrible. The Lincoln flag is simple, identifiable, and classy. It’s not even close on the other flags.

That one on the top right looks like some shitty WWE title belt.

Relationship to Illinois: In the fall of 2004, I lived in Chicago and was studying industrial design at UIC. My great grandfather, Harry James McCartney was an engraver in Chicago. He worked downtown at the Sears, Roebuck and Co where he illustrated and engraved images of lamps, heaters, and other household accessories that were printed on the pages of the Sears mail-order catalogue. His father was James A. McCartney, a civil war veteran from Illinois. He became the IL Attorney General from 18811885.

Explain the meaning behind your flag: The 21 red + white stripes represent Illinois as the 21st state of this union. The blue field with the six-pointed white star represents Chicago. The negative space between the blue and white fields form the shape of an I to represent Illinois.

Relationship to Illinois: Born and raised. From 1984-2002, I spent my childhood in central Illinois, I’ve lived and worked in Bloomington/Normal for 26 of my 40 years of life. My dad, sister, niece, and the majority of my aunts and uncles are still here. All of my grandparents are buried here. I found out about this commission only days ago after spending two years abroad. I found this old design from 2016 just today. It needs works. It lacks our current eagle, perhaps to be placed in white silhouette above the star.

Explain the meaning behind your flag: This slice of Old Glory is also a nod to the French flag, banners which both stood here. A single star shines our contribution to the union. Abe’s silhouette reminds us of our past. The red field highlights our present: Illinois’ most iconic border, formed by the mighty Mississippi. It’s steady flow, as progress itself, cuts through our banner in white leading us ever to the future. The flag still lacks any representation of our Illiniwek and Miami heritage, which should be added by their progeny.

Relationship to Illinois: My connection to Illinois runs deep. My ancestors came from Ireland in the early 1900s and settled in Gridley, IL, where they farmed corn, soybeans, and raised livestock. My father grew up on that same farm, while my mother was raised in Champaign. They met at Illinois State University, where I also earned my Bachelor of Arts in graphic design. I’ve lived in Illinois my entire life, and its agricultural landscapes and smalltown values make me proud to call Illinois home.

Explain the meaning behind your flag: The 21 stripes represent Illinois as the 21st state and reflect its agricultural roots, resembling rows of crops and the open prairie. Three six-pointed stars represent the state’s three regions*northern, central, and southern*and their 18 points reference Illinois’ founding in 1818. A sun on the horizon, also featured on our current state flag, represents renewal. The colors*Blue for unity, Green for agriculture, and Yellow for a bright future*honor Illinois’ history and natural beauty.

Relationship to Illinois: My late wife Maureen Thomas (1952-2023) was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois.

Explain the meaning behind your flag: The idea of mine is simply an embellishment to the existing flag (helps to save money on an entire new design). Placing red and blue vertical bars on each end (with a narrow white stripe in between the colors) eliminates the ‘seal-on-bedsheet’ look. Not overly imaginative, but practical and economic.

It is your guy's money but why change it at all?

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.

It's basically the state seal used as a flag and vexillology-wise it sucks. The problem is the new ones also suck. For some reason there was a requirement to talk your flag up like a nerd, which probably prevented some cooler flags to be considered.

Vexillology is a term I explain on my series Fun with Flags.

Ditka and an indigenous person in front of the Home Alone House eating an Italian beef sandwich surrounded by fire.

WINNER!

We lose a lot of rights when we look the other way when it doesn't affect our lives or it isn't a cause we agree with.

Because the cowards didn't even let us pick the cool designs.

We lose a lot of rights when we look the other way when it doesn't affect our lives or it isn't a cause we agree with.

There is no doubt the Abe Lincoln shooting lasers out of his eyes would have won.

Hate to tell ya this "Amigo", but that is sort of the essence of how life works.