Flag Design Created By GBS Grad Celebrated At Exchange Ceremony

CHICAGO — Last year, a flag designed by former Glenbrook South High School student Andrew Duffy was selected as the new Cook County flag. Duffy's "I Will Banner" beat out 296 other submissions from 40 different high schools.

On Thursday, a number of local government officials celebrated the flag design with a municipal flag exchange ceremony in Chicago. According to officials, the ceremonial flag swap is intended to update the Cook County archive of local flags and provide the new flag to be "proudly displayed" across Cook County.

"It is a symbol that embodies the essence of our County, reflecting our waterways, natural beauty, innovation, and core belief in social justice," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. "And today, we gather here to share the spirit of that flag with our dedicated municipal partners. This act of exchange represents our shared commitment to the people we serve and the places we protect."

In designing the flag, Duffy was mentored by former Cook County Bureau of Administration Graphic Designer Martin Burciaga. Officials said the "I Will Banner" symbolizes the importance of the County's waterways (blue), the beauty of its natural lands (green), the innovation and commerce of its residents (white), and its core belief in social justice (red).

The central "Y"shape highlights the regional rivers joining at Wolf Point, while harkening back to the original Municipal Device of Chicago. The stars are seven-pointed to represent each County region, the city of Chicago, and the Forest Preserves, which join together to symbolize residents’ unity and a common mission, according to officials.

"This new flag belongs to every one of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, and tells each of our stories. I look forward to seeing the 'I Will' flag fly in front of municipal buildings throughout the County as a gesture of unity, a beacon of equity, and a bastion of hope," Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton (D-14th District, Glenview) said.

The choice of Duffy's design was first announced on Flag Day 2002 and it was hoisted above Daily Plaza for the first time in September last year.

In attendance at the ceremony were mayors, supervisors, or representatives from 20 of Cook County's municipalities and townships, including:

• Alsip – John Ryan, mayor
• Arlington Heights - Robin LaBedz, trustee
• Broadview – Sobeida Sierra, executive assistant to the mayor
• Chicago – John Roberson, chief operating officer
• Cicero – Blanca Vargas, trustee
• Des Plaines - Andrew Goczkowski, mayor
• Dixmoor – Fitzgerald Roberts, president
• Franklin Park – April Arellano, clerk
• Glenwood - Brian Mitchell, village administrator
• Harvey - Chris Clark, mayor
• LaGrange – Paul Saladino, clerk
• Markham – Derrick Champion, village administrator
• Northbrook – Kathryn Ciesla, president
• Northfield Township – Shiva Mohsenzadeh, supervisor
• Orland Park – Joel Van Essen, director of public works
• Palos Park – Nicole Milovich-Walters, mayor
• Richton Park - Rick Reinbold, mayor
• River Forest - Luke Masella, deputy clerk
• Rolling Meadows – Lara Sanoica, mayor
• Westchester – Greg Hribal, mayor

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