American Flags in Illinois Will Fly Half-Staff Through This Weekend

U.S. flags are flown at half-staff as a sign of respect following the death of a prominent figure, during a period of mourning following a national tragedy, or to commemorate the anniversary of a specific event.

What's the difference between half-staff and half-mast?

According to USHistory.org, the term half-staff is used when lowering the flag over land, and while they've been used interchangeably, half-mast is more commonly used when lowering the flag at sea.

Here's why U.S. flags are at half-staff in Illinois but not in any other state

According to the Illinois Flag Display Act, the flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the state whenever "an Illinois member of the armed forces, police force, fire service and other groups covered by the Act" is killed in the line of duty.

Beginning on Friday (11/17), Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has ordered "all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff" to honor the life of fallen Chicago Firefighter and EMT Andrew "Drew" Price.

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Price, who was 39 years old, died after falling through a building shaft while battling a fire in Lincoln Park, according to ABC 7.

According to a press release from the Department of Central Management Services, all U.S. and Illinois state flags should be lowered from Sunrise on Friday, November 17 through Sunset on Monday, November 20.

You can find out when the flag is lowered to half-staff nationally on Twitter by clicking HERE.