Here’s Why All Flags in Illinois Have Been Lowered to Half-Staff

Today is President's Day (Monday 2/17), a day set aside to honor all those who have served in the Office of the President of the United States.

It used to be held on February 22, George Washington's birthday, but in 1968 Congress passed a bill to move several holidays in the U.S. to Monday, so President's Day was designated for the third Monday in February.

Are Flags Lowered to Half-Staff on President's Day?

Flags across Illinois were at half-staff today (Monday), but it had nothing to do with it being President's Day.

U.S. Flags are ordered to half-staff in Illinois by Governor J.B. Pritzker when any "Illinois member of the armed forces, police force, fire service and other groups covered by the Act" are killed in the line of duty.

Honoring a Fallen Officer Who Was Born in Illinois

A man born in Belleville, Illinois is being honored after he was killed in the line of duty while working as a police officer in North Las Vegas, Nevada, according to the Belleville News-Democrat.

According to the press release from the Governor's office, flags were lowered to half-staff this past Saturday (February 15) and remained lowered until Monday at sunset for 46-year-old Jason Roscow who died in the line of duty on February 4, 2025.

According to the Belleville-News Democrat, Roscow's body was returned to his hometown today (Monday) where a funeral mass took place at St. Joseph Catholic Church.