The Illinois state flag is sometimes derided as an “SOB” — a state “Seal on a Bedsheet.” The white banner emblazoned with the ...

“Some may call it an SOB and the vexillological community (flag experts) may hate it, but people overwhelmingly prefer our current state flag,” said Secretary of State Alexi ...

The redesign contest included 10 new designs, two former state flags and the current one. The current flag received over 165,000 of the nearly 385,000 votes cast.

Illinois residents overwhelmingly support keeping the current state flag, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced Thursday after a five-week public voting period to consider a redesign.

State officials announced Thursday morning that the current flag won the contest with 165,602 votes, or 43 percent. However, ...