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Springfield, Illinois (U.S.)

by J.J. Andersson

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On a blue field, offset toward the hoist, a large red star fimbriated white, surrounded by a ring of 20 small white stars. Below, in yellow, the words SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS.

From the Beloit Daily News:
City flies five flag versions
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) You're a grand old flag - all five of you. Springfield city officials are scratching their heads over multiple variations of the city flag that a resident discovered. There are three different versions alone in the same city block on display in the city council chambers, flying outside the municipal buildings, and waving above the main fire station next door. "It's almost a comedy of errors," said Dr. John Navins, a physician who found the differences while researching the flag's history earlier this year. Brian McFadden, chief of staff to Mayor Karen Hasara, said city officials likely would research the city code and try to ensure that there's a uniform flag design. "We want to display the proper flag, but at this point we don't really know what is the proper flag," McFadden said.
The design was chosen in a 1916 contest. The winning design, chosen from 38 entries, called for an "Illinois blue" flag with a circle of 20 white stars toward the staff end of the flag. The 20 white stars symbolized the first 20 states admitted to the union. In the center was another white star, representing Illinois, the 21st state, with a red star for Springfield in the middle of it.

located by Dov Gutterman, 1 January 2003