Description

The Cook County Board of Commissioners met today, Flag Day as the County approaches its 200th Anniversary year, in the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee to vote for “I Will” as the new Cook County Illinois flag. This historic vote coincides with the celebration of Flag Day and elevates the importance of representation in all its forms

A flag should reflect the people we serve and the places we protect. As we approach Cook County’s bicentennial, we have a new flag to represent this special place and the people that call it home.

Available in various sizes, including 3’x5′, 4’x6′, 5’x8′, 6’x10′, and 8’x12′.  To ensure ease of display and installation, we finish the flags 6’x10′ and smaller with a canvas heading and brass grommets. Canvas heading reinforces flag on pole, while brass grommets secure it conveniently in place.  8’x12′ flags and larger are finished with canvas roped heading with galvanized thimbles.

The “I Will” flag was designed by Glenbrook South H.S. High School student Andrew Duffy and mentored by Cook County Bureau of Administration Graphic Designer Martin Burciaga.  Indeed the flag symbolizes the importance of County waterways, natural beauty, resident innovation, commerce, and core beliefs in social justice.

“The most powerful flags are representative of the people it waves over and create a sense of community and belonging. The ‘I Will’ banner does exactly this,” said Flag Advisory Panel Co-Chair and 14th District Commissioner Scott Britton. “We now have a flag that we can be proud of not only for its impeccable design aesthetic but for all it stands for. The County owes gratitude to the students, design mentors, and Advisory Panel members who shared their time and expertise to help us capture the spirit of our diverse County that will last for the next 200 years.”

The County’s old flag is the seal – itself a literal depiction of Cook County’s 30 Townships and the date of the County’s founding – on a white background with the name of the County surrounding it. In addition, they raised that flag for the first time over the County Building on Tuesday, June 13, 1961. 61 years later, Cook County unveils a new symbolic flag, depicting our heritage through imagery, shapes, and colors.

Furthermore, Drew Duffy expressed his gratitude for the entire flag design process, from the first draft to final committee meetings. He valued Martin Burciaga’s help, as his graphic design skills turned the marker-drawn image into a professional flag. Despite pandemic delays, the Board of Commissioners and administrative staff made the process enjoyable. Accordingly, Duffy feels honored to be part of it and looks forward to what comes next.

The “I Will” flag uses blue for waterways, green for preserved lands, red for social change, and white for innovation. The central “Y” shape highlights regional rivers joining at Wolf Point, reminiscent of Chicago’s original Municipal Device. Seven-pointed stars represent County regions, Chicago city, and Forest Preserves, symbolizing unity and a common mission among residents.

Henceforth, the Cook County Illinois flag features six stars, each representing significant moments in its history.
1) The founding in 1831.
2) Establishment of Cook County Health Hospitals
3) Creation of the Cook County Department of Public Health.
4) Foundation of the Forest Preserves in 1914.
5) Establishment of the Arthur J. Audy Home in 1899.
6) Ode to townships and local governments.

“It is exciting to have the President and the County Board embrace a new banner for our County,” said Matthew DeLeon, Cook County Historian and Flag Advisory Panel Co-Chair. “The next step in this process will be the formal recognition of the flag as a symbol of the unique efforts of so many people to provide health care, a safe environment, a fair and just court system, commerce and transportation systems, public safety and a fair and equitable society for all residents.”

In conclusion, Cook County approved the new flag on Flag Day during a Legislative Committee meeting with historical significance. Today, the County commemorates the approval of the first symbolic County flag, coinciding with Flag Day’s historical significance.