Flag of Illinois
stateThe flag of Illinois was adopted on July 1, 1970. White field with the state seal in colour. It uses 4 colours: white, blue, brown and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Illinois |
|---|---|
| Country | Illinois |
| Official Country Name | State of Illinois |
| Continent | North America |
| Region | United States |
| ISO Country Code | US-IL |
| Internet Domain | .us |
| Calling Code | +1 |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) |
| National Language(s) | English |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Illinois |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 1, 1970 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 1, 1970 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | White, Blue, Brown, Red |
| Design Type | White field with the state seal in colour |
| Official Status | Official State Flag |
| Government Authority | State Government of Illinois |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #004B87 | 0, 75, 135 | 100, 44, 0, 47 | |
| Brown | #8B5A2B | 139, 90, 43 | 0, 35, 69, 45 | |
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the field |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents the water |
| Brown colour | Represents the eagle and rock |
| Red colour | Represents the shield |
| Bald eagle on a rock | Holding a shield of thirteen stars and stripes |
| Motto | “State Sovereignty, National Union”, with the words deliberately reversed on the scroll |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1970-07-01 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Illinois Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Illinois
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 56 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 1, 1970 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Antarctica, Arkansas, Aruba |
| Unique Feature | White field with the state seal in colour |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Illinois
- The word Illinois was added beneath the seal in 1970 after a campaign by a schoolteacher whose students pointed out that nobody could identify the flag.
- On the seal the words State Sovereignty and National Union are deliberately reversed on the scroll, a compromise reached during the Civil War era when removing the first phrase proved politically impossible.
- The flag of Illinois was officially adopted on July 1, 1970.
- The flag in its present form is 56 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with the state seal in colour.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 83 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: white, blue, brown and red.
- The white on the flag stands for the field.
- The blue on the flag stands for the water.
- The brown on the flag stands for the eagle and rock.
- Bald eagle on a rock: Holding a shield of thirteen stars and stripes.
- Motto: “State Sovereignty, National Union”, with the words deliberately reversed on the scroll.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Antarctica, Arkansas and Aruba.
- Illinois joined the Union on 3 December 1818, as the 21st state.
- The state is nicknamed The Prairie State.
- The state bird is the northern cardinal.
- The state flower is the violet.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Illinois
When was the flag of Illinois adopted?
The flag of Illinois was officially adopted on July 1, 1970.
What do the colours of the flag of Illinois mean?
White for the field, blue for the water, brown for the eagle and rock and red for the shield.
When did Illinois become a state?
Illinois entered the Union on 3 December 1818, as the 21st state.
What do the symbols on the flag of Illinois represent?
Bald eagle on a rock — Holding a shield of thirteen stars and stripes. Motto — “State Sovereignty, National Union”, with the words deliberately reversed on the scroll.
What are the proportions of the flag of Illinois?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 83 national flags.
What are the state symbols of Illinois?
The state bird is the northern cardinal, the state flower is the violet and the motto is "State Sovereignty, National Union".
Which flags look similar to the flag of Illinois?
The closest matches are Antarctica, Arkansas and Aruba, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Illinois?
It uses 4 colours: white, blue, brown and red.
Can I download the flag of Illinois for free?
Yes. This page offers the flag of Illinois in SVG, PNG, JPG and WebP at several sizes. The files are free to use for any purpose and no attribution is required.
What are the colour codes of the flag of Illinois?
The HEX values are White #FFFFFF, Blue #004B87, Brown #8B5A2B and Red #CE1126. RGB, CMYK and HSL equivalents are listed in the colour table on this page.