The Cook County Board of Commissioners met June 14Flag Dayas the county approaches its 200th-anniversary year, in the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee to vote for "I Will" as the new flag for Cook County.
This historic vote coincides with the celebration of Flag Day and elevates the importance of representation in all its forms. A public flag-raising ceremony is planned for late summer in Daley Plaza.
The "I Will" flag was designed by Glenbrook South High School student Andrew Duffy and mentored by Cook County Bureau of Administration graphic designer Martin Burciaga. The flag shows through color, shape and symbolism the importance of the County's waterways, the beauty of its natural lands, the innovation and commerce of its residents and its core belief in social justice.
The "I Will" flag utilizes blue to symbolize the County's waterways, green for preserved lands and riverbanks, red for social change, and the blank canvas of white for the innovation to come. The central "Y" shape highlights the regional rivers joining at Wolf Point while harkening back to the original Municipal Device of Chicago. The stars are seven-pointed to represent each County region, the city of Chicago, and the Forest Preserves, which join together to symbolize residents' unity and a common mission.
The flag redesign centered on a high-school student competition that was a catalyst for a hands-on learning experience for students about the history of Cook County and flag design, generally.
On Thursday, June 16, the Board of Commissioners is expected to concur with the recommendation of the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee codifying this change.
To learn more about the flag redesign process, competition, participants and designs, visit www.anewflagforcookcounty.com .