The flag of Illinois was originally designed by the Rockford Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and officially adopted in 1915. Their chapter won a contest sponsored by the D.A.R. to create a state flag for IL. The bald eagle pictured on the Illinois state flag is representative of the United States of America and in its beak is the state motto. The word Illinois was added to the flag during the Vietnam War because it was difficult to discern its identity. | 
