Cook County launches student competition to design new county flag

Cook County has launched #FLAG2021, a contest for high school students to redesign the county flag in time for the county's 190th anniversary.

"The contest to create a new flag is an exciting opportunity for high school students to engage with civics and the county's history," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

The deadline for students to submit entries is April 15. All the information on the contest is at www.cookcountyil.gov/flag2021.

An advisory panel will select 25 semifinalists, who will meet with volunteer design professionals to further refine their designs. The panel will select five finalists for the county board to consider in the fall. The winning flag will be raised above Daley Plaza in a January 2021 ceremony.

"We are asking the high school students of Cook County to design a flag for the 21st Century that connects our past and present together," said Matthew DeLeon, Cook County Historian.