FLAG2021
#FLAG2021: A New Flag for a New Century
- Cook County Government will celebrate 190 years in January 2021. We want all County residents currently attending high school (grades 9–12) to help design the new County flag, or #FLAG2021.
- The winning design will be the official banner of Cook County Government, flown in all County operated locations and raised above Daley Plaza next January in a ceremony marking the introduction of #FLAG2021.
- Scroll down to submit online at cookcountyil.gov/flag2021, email your design to flag2021@cookcountyil.gov, or mail the entry form (or a physical flag!) to 118 N Clark St, Room 436, Chicago, IL 60602
The Challenge: Geography, Mission, History and People of Cook County
Geography: Consider any or all of the following—the Forest Preserve, Lake Michigan, the rivers which run throughout the County and feed the lake. There are six main geographic regions of the County–the City of Chicago is the County seat (capital) and the five suburban regions (North, Northwest, West, Southwest, South).
Mission and History: Cook County has played a large role in the development of the modern United States, providing Health Care, regardless of ability to pay; Transportation and Roadways, including the major local expressways and work at the airports; comprehensive provision of the Justice System; a commitment to the Preservation of the Environment and Forest Preserves; and as a Center of Commerce for the nation.
People: Cook County is home to people who come from all over the nation and the world, with many different groups of residents coming together to make one county of over 5.2 million people.
DOs and DON’Ts
DO give your flag a name—provide a title which speaks to the geography, mission and people.
DO describe what your flag’s colors, symbols, shapes and patterns represent (an example: a star on your design has a number of points, share what each point means). Every meaning should be explained.
DO submit your flag by November 1, 2020.
DON'T use any text, lettering, or numbering–the colors, symbols, and patterns should represent the flag's meaning.
DON'T use the Cook County seal, map, or existing flag.
DON'T use too many colors–a maximum of four is suggested but a flag with more will still be considered.
DON'T include small, detailed or hard to see design elements – from 100 yards away, a 3' x 5' flag appears smaller than your hand – the new Cook County flag will be reproduced in many small versions, including mini flags, logos, pins, etc.
How to Enter: Online, paper and cloth entries will all be accepted. Multiple entries are permitted and welcome! Student information will be requested and may require verification should your design be selected as a semi-finalist.
Contest Timeline
2019
December
Resolution establishing the #FLAG2021 Advisory Panel introduced
2020
January
Letters sent to schools introducing the contest, the rules and the timelines, promotion via social media, traditional media outlets
January–November 1
Contestants prepare entries
November 1
Deadline to submit entries
Fall 2020
Advisory Panel evaluates and selects semi-finalists
Semi-finalists honored at Cook County Board Meeting
Semi-finalists will be paired with volunteer design professionals who will work closely with the semi-finalists to refine their designs
2021
January 15
190th Anniversary of Cook County Government's founding
January 22
25 Semifinalist Design Teams Announced
Fall/Winter 2021 (TBD)
Advisory Panel selects finalists for final consideration by the Cook County Board
Cook County Board is sent finalists to select new County Flag
Board deliberates on flag designs
The new County Flag goes into production: Daley Plaza Flag, building flags, 3x5s, small flags, flag pins, uniform patches
The new County Flag is introduced, Flag Raising Ceremony Daley Plaza, flags replaced outside at County facilities
Flag Exchange Ceremony with municipalities in Daley Plaza
TBD
Indoor office flags, uniforms with flags replaced at discretion of officeholders over time