File #: 20-1831    Version: 1 Name: TO CREATE THE FLAG2021 ADVISORY PANEL AND COMMISSION THE DESIGN OF A 21st COOK COUNTY FLAG
Type: Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 12/12/2019 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 12/19/2019 Final action: 12/19/2019
Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO CREATE THE FLAG2021 ADVISORY PANEL AND COMMISSION THE DESIGN OF A 21st CENTURY COOK COUNTY FLAG WHEREAS, over one year from now, on January 15, 2021, Cook County Government will celebrate the 190th Anniversary of its founding; and, WHEREAS, in 2031, the County will celebrate 200 years of service to the people of Cook County; and, WHEREAS, over the course of the next year, the newly-formed Cook County Historic Archives and Records Office, or CARO (Archives Office) will develop printed and online materials, displays, presentations and other events to properly acknowledge the founding of Cook County Government and the role Cook County played in the growth and development of the state, region and nation; and, WHEREAS, it is essential to the success of the Archives Office mission that events and activities involve and engage as many residents of Cook County in discussing the historic role of Cook County Government; and, WHEREAS, one of the most prominent offic...
Sponsors: SCOTT R. BRITTON, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), ALMA E. ANAYA, LUIS ARROYO JR, JOHN P. DALEY, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, PETER N. SILVESTRI, LARRY SUFFREDIN, DENNIS DEER

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PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

TO CREATE THE FLAG2021 ADVISORY PANEL AND COMMISSION THE DESIGN OF A 21st CENTURY COOK COUNTY FLAG

 

WHEREAS, over one year from now, on January 15, 2021, Cook County Government will celebrate the 190th Anniversary of its founding; and,

 

WHEREAS, in 2031, the County will celebrate 200 years of service to the people of Cook County; and,

 

WHEREAS, over the course of the next year, the newly-formed Cook County Historic Archives and Records Office, or CARO (Archives Office) will develop printed and online materials, displays, presentations and other events to properly acknowledge the founding of Cook County Government and the role Cook County played in the growth and development of the state, region and nation; and,

 

WHEREAS, it is essential to the success of the Archives Office mission that events and activities involve and engage as many residents of Cook County in discussing the historic role of Cook County Government; and,

 

WHEREAS, one of the most prominent official symbols of Cook County Government is the Cook County Flag; and,

 

WHEREAS, the County Board approved the current County Flag by Resolution on March 14, 1961 after four County employees and the County Treasurer came up with a design on their own that was submitted by President Daniel Ryan to the Board; and,

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners believes the official symbols of Cook County should represent and promote the essential aspects of the County’s 21st century mission--our nearly 200 years of service;  the unique geography and landscapes; and the diversity of our people so that all residents may be encouraged to learn about and discuss the role of Cook County Government; and,

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners believes that some of the most important residents of the County whom the Archive Office must involve in these activities are the students of Cook County, who will further the knowledge of Cook County’s Government to future generations;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners commission the creation of a 21st Century Cook County Flag.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President shall convene, and Commissioner Scott Britton shall Chair, the FLAG2021 Advisory Panel comprised of historians, community members, design experts, County Board members, County leadership and others to conduct a FLAG2021 Design Contest as part of the creation of 21st Century Cook County Flag.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the FLAG2021 Design Contest will require student designers to design a flag for Cook County which uses colors, symbols, shapes and patterns to represent the following aspects of Cook County.

 

•                     County Mission and History: Cook County has played a large role in the development of the modern United States, including--but not limited to--providing access to health care; transportation and roadways; the provision of all aspects of the justice system; a commitment to preservation of the environment and creation of the Forest Preserves; and a center of commerce for the nation.

 

•                     Geography: The Forest Preserve, Lake Michigan, the rivers which run throughout the County and feed the lake; the six main geographic regions of the County--City of Chicago as the County seat and five suburban regions (North, Northwest, West, Southwest, South).

 

•                     People: Cook County is home to people who come from all over the nation and the world, with many different groups of residents coming together to make one county of over 5.5 million people.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the FLAG2021 Design Contest will be open to all Cook County residents who are students-as defined by the Advisory Panel-at all participating Cook County high schools during the current 2019-2020 academic year.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the FLAG2021 Advisory Panel shall determine the contest rules and distribute them to all County high schools.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Advisory Panel will identify semi-finalists from among those submitted for consideration by the Panel, and, will match semi-finalist designers with volunteer design professionals and Advisory Panel mentors to further develop and refine their designs, with the goal of identifying five finalists for the County Board to consider.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the winning flag design will become the official banner of Cook County Government and will be flown in all locations where the current County flag is flown, including Richard J. Daley Plaza in Chicago, the Cook County Building and all other County Facilities and Courthouses.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 21st Century County Flag, once approved, would be raised in a public ceremony on Daley Plaza, and that an additional ceremony would be held with all municipalities and townships to exchange their 20th Century Cook County Flag for the 21st Century Cook County Flag in 2021.

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