A banner in its beak bears the state motto, "State Sovereignty, National Union." It was adopted for use Sept. 17, 1969, and updated a design used since 1915 by adding "Illinois" to it. That change ...

Included among the designs were two previously used designs — the 1918 Centennial Flag and the 1968 Sesquicentennial Flag — and the emblem ... A banner in its beak bears the state motto ...