Illinois State Flags

History of Illinois State Flag

The current Illinois state flag was adopted in 1915. It features the state seal on a white background, surrounded by a ring of 21 stars representing Illinois as the 21st state to join the Union. The seal itself includes an eagle, a shield with 13 stripes representing the original 13 colonies, and the state motto "State Sovereignty, National Union." The flag also includes the date "1818," the year Illinois became a state.

Prior to the current flag, Illinois had several different flags throughout its history. One of the earliest was the "Benton Flag," which featured a blue field with the word "ILLINOIS" written in white letters. This flag was used in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and is still used by some organizations as a symbol of Illinois history.