New Illinois flag contest riling up Freedom Caucus

The state of Illinois is in the market for a new flag , but some lawmakers don't want it to change.

The big picture: The state flag redesign is moving forward for the first time in 50 years after lawmakers created the 20-person Illinois Flag Commission last year to explore changing the flag to "reflect the identity of Illinois."

Driving the news: The commission announced last week a new flag design contest, calling on state residents to submit their design proposals by Oct. 18.

The intrigue: Downstate Republican Rep. Adam Niemerg, joined by the other six members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, is worried the new flag will be used "to advance the far left's political ideology."

Zoom out: Similar objections were levied in Minnesota, where more conservative leaders pushed back on the new state flag .

Reality check: The state is run by Democrats, but the effort to redesign the state flag is hardly partisan. In fact, the flag has been widely ridiculed and was recently named one of the worst in the country .

• Niemerg points to language that Gov. JB Pritzker used when signing the commission into law. The governor said "it may be time we create a new one that exemplifies the values of our great state."

Yes, but: The governor and Democratic leaders in the General Assembly appointed the commission, which includes lawmakers, artists and educators. Republicans and downstate leaders have only a handful of spots on the commission.

State of play: No members of the Freedom Caucus are on the commission. That may be because the caucus and Niemerg are outspoken critics of both the Democratic and Republican parties in Illinois.

• They have rallied against Pritzker on almost every one of his initiatives and have rallied to replace Republican state leadership in the past to better reflect the MAGA movement and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

What they're saying: "Will we highlight the governor's efforts to partner with Chinese-owned companies? Or will the flag become a state-sponsored tribute to the Pride flag?" Niemerg said.

• "We need patriotic citizens to take a stand against this clear attempt to rebrand our state according to leftist ideology."

The latest: Niemerg launched a petition to stop the state's push for a new flag, telling constituents to "send them a clear message: DON'T MESS WITH OUR STATE FLAG!"

The bottom line: It's election season. Niemerg and other Freedom Caucus members are up for re-election in November.

What's next: The Illinois Flag Commission will bring design recommendations to the General Assembly this spring.

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