My favored rejected designs for the Illinois state flag

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I wanted to dig into this, perhaps some of these rejected designs for a possible new state flag could be the proposed symbol for the Illinois Republic. My vision for this republic is not only to revamp how this great state could be governed, but what could be done to unify this state and give it the pride that it deserves.

My vision could put Illinois up there with places like Texas, Vermont, or even California states that actually were independent republics before they became part of the United States. Either way it's difficult to create something resembling a "new regime" without creating symbols (i.e. a flag) to represent it.

So the so-called state flag reject pile was shared on Capitol Fax on Monday linked below.

The Illinois Flag Commission’s reject pile https://t.co/21vedtR5Oj

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) January 6, 2025

While I haven't gone through every submission so far, there are a few that I do consider favorites and then from the 10 designs that were chosen I also want to share the ones I do like best. In addition, other than the grassroots designs shown it's also important to show the favorite choices of others.

Of course click on the screencaps below to see the text description of each design. You will see 20 below the page break.

I actually like this design it almost evokes the Arizona flag. I fear it might be too similar but this caught my eye for sure. This is certain eye catching and there were some others like it from the other rejected designs.

Another eyecatching design this almost resembles the flag of New Mexico though just a tad different. I may not be a huge fan of the color choices though.

Another eyecatching design. The stars that are patterned in the shape of the state and then the state's name on the bottom. No problem here, it's on a navy blue background and certain the stars represents the number of states in then union when Illinois was admitted in 1818.

This is a bit similar to the submissoin 3143 that you see above. A bit busier than the other above, however, I do like the attempt to have a design similar to New Mexico.

There are some state flag which has a tree on it. I'd say for an Illinois Republic this flag could be fitting. If I recall the only state flag that has a tree on it is South Carolina - a palmetto - which resembles a palm tree. This one is quite unique among all the submissions.

This flag strongly resembles the flag of St. Louis, Missouri. Except in the circle is the face of Abraham Lincoln. This is probably one design that is something of a copycat that could work. It would certainly emphasize President Lincoln's relationship with Illinois.

I'd say this design somewhat resembles the Ohio Flag. To this design I'd make some tweaks based on the Ohio flag. Perhaps this is where I would through in the letter I or a drawing of the Illinois. The extra stars is a nice touch and I would make them more prominent in someway. Perhaps use the star pattern from the second design 3240 as a basis though keep it on a blue background with red stripes. Of course now the flag would strongly resemble the Ohio flag.

This is referred to as a "Quebec-style" design. This would be very unique. So far I haven't seen a proposed flag design that catches my eye which uses the French fleur-de-lis as the Quebec flag would use. Also given that the territory that would become Illinois was once under the control of France I think this flag could work as a state flag.

More or less a retread of the current Illinois state flag. This would be a decent design and I like the nice touch of the stars around the Illinois state seal. Perhaps we could do this similar to one of the chosen designs that are currently up for vote.

This design is close to the Chicago flag. Not that the state needs to identify itself so closely to such an important city. I like this design because it does take some cues from the Chicago flag.

The idea of a front and back state flag is unique which is why I'm choosing this one -
of this type of flag. This would be worth tweaking, however, I like the idea of using the state motto - State Sovereignty, National Union - as part of the elements of a state flag. One idea for an Illinois republic would be to give that motto some true meaning.

I generally wanted to avoid hand drawn flags, however, there are some elements of this flag I did like. The usage of the state motto, the stars, and the inclusion of the Eagle. Of course this design could use some good tweaks to make it a good looking flag.

This almost resembles the Scottish flag - also the flag of Alabama. Very simple and of course needs to be tweaked. Perhaps make this flag resemble the state of Florida. Their flag is similar to Alabama except in the center is the state seal of Florida.

Another tricolor design with the inclusion of the stars the stars would denote the number of states in the union at the time of Illinois' admission. What I would tweak are the colors. Perhaps just give me red, white and blue at least. Though I can also deal with navy blue, sky or Columbia blue, and white.

I suppose this is another unique symbol similar to designs 3143 and 3243. The sun rising over a body of water with the stars. The rays of the sun represents how many states were in the union once Illinois became a state. The stars represents 1818, the year Illinois was admitted as a state. This could be another great symbol for the state.

Perhaps as close to the design of the "Lone Star State" as we're going to get. Within the star are 21 rays which again represents the number of states in the union at the time Illinois became a state. Again this design could use some tweaks but I like it.

This flag seems based upon the 1918 centennial flag though it actually includes the French fleur-de-lis that I discussed with the Quebec style flag seen above. This is one design that include it and it caught my eye. Again that French symbol denotes that the area that is now Illinois was once under French control.

Another design that takes its cues from the 1918 centennial flag. This time a navy blue triangle with 21 stars. I'd tweak it and make the larger star a a six point star taking a cue from the Chicago flag. Though in this case that star would represent the state among the other 20 star which represents the states that were already admitted to the union in 1818.

With this flag I like the inclusion of the year of Illinois' admission to the union and the image of President Lincoln - we're the Land of Lincoln after all. Some decent design elements seen here which would make this a great flag.

Now this flag also caught my eye. This is a design to be flown in my yard. I would say if one could create a flag similar to Ohio this also could be it. I like the stylized six point star in the middle in a field of six points stars. This should've made it to a vote from the public.

I think that's enough 20 designs that were rejected out of perhaps thousands. What do you think of these designs? Have you made a choice on the designs that are up for voting currently?