Letter to the Editor: Changing Illinois’ flag not terrible idea, but not to advance far left’s political ideology

The efforts of the woke left to erase our heritage and our culture knows no bounds. The latest example of this is the newly created Illinois Flag Commission.

The commission’s purpose, as authorized by SB1818, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law, is to “make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning whether the current state flag should be replaced with a redesigned flag.”

A report to the Illinois General Assembly with 10 new flag ideas is due by December. 

The idea of a new flag is not necessarily a terrible idea. However, the purpose behind this effort is not to elevate Illinois’ history but to use the flag to advance the far left’s political ideology.

Upon signing Senate Bill 1818 into law, Pritzker said, “Throughout our 205-year history, Illinois has boasted two official state flags — and it may be time we create a new one that exemplifies the values of our great state.” 

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton echoed the same sentiment, saying, “This bill will ensure the Illinois flag continues to be a symbol of progress and the ideals we uphold with the utmost honor.”

In other words, it may be time for a new flag that makes a political statement instead of honoring our state’s history.

Will our flag be an homage to the surging abortion industry the governor continues to champion? Will we highlight the governor’s efforts to partner with Chinese-owned companies? Will the flag become a state-sponsored tribute to the pride flag?

One can only imagine what kind of ideals the radical left has in mind.

Our current flag is full of symbolism. The bald eagle represents the United States. In its beak, it holds a streamer with the state motto. The state motto means that Illinois governs itself under the government of the United States. In the eagle’s claws is a shield with 13 bars and 13 stars representing the first 13 states. The two dates on the boulder are the dates of statehood and the state seal. The ground around it symbolizes the state’s rich prairie soil.

The current flag is not intended to focus on current political divisions. It is a flag for all Illinois residents. 

We do not need our flag to be an amalgamation of leftist dogma. The current flag honors our nation, the Land of Lincoln, and the rich soil under our feet that has made our state one of the leading agricultural-producing states in the country.

 I urge every patriot to go to https://mailchi.mp/niemergforstaterep.com/save-our-state-flag and sign the petition to stop the effort to change our flag.

The same people who support allowing men to play in women’s sports, who want tampons available in men’s bathrooms, who locked down our schools, churches and businesses during the pandemic, and who are OK with pornographic material in the classroom want to be the arbiters of what “values” to highlight on a possible new flag. 

Their so-called “values” are not the values of millions of Illinois citizens. It is up to us to stop them. It is time for the Illinois Patriots to step up and save our flag.

State Rep. Adam Niemerg
Dieterich, Illinois