Illinois Governor Once Again Orders Flags Be Lowered to Half-Staff

Over the past month, you may have noticed that U.S. and state flags across Illinois have been flying at half-staff for what seems like every single day.

Continuing a Season of Solemn Tributes

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has recently ordered that state and national flags be lowered for formal tributes to fallen public servants.

READ MORE: Why Is This U.S. Flag Flying Inverted in Illinois?

Less than two weeks ago, we honored fallen Police officers who died in the line of duty on Peace Officers Memorial Day by flying flags at half-staff. Fallen Chicago Fire Captain David Meyer was honored after he was killed in the line of duty on April 22, 2025.

At the end of April, flags were at half-staff as Illinois mourned the loss of three young girls in downstate who were tragically killed during an accident in Chatham.

How Flags Are Ordered to Half-Staff

Each order from the Illinois Governor to have flags in the state lowered comes through the authority of the Illinois Flag Display Act.

This is a state law requiring flags to fly half-staff for "every Illinois member of the armed forces, police force, fire service, and other groups covered by the Act killed in the line of duty."

Honoring America's Fallen on Memorial Day

Governor Pritzker has now ordered flags to be flown at half-staff again in honor of Memorial Day.

On Monday, May 26, 2025, all entities that are covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are required to lower the United States and the Illinois state flags from sunrise until noon.

When flags rise again at noon on Monday (5/26), let us all be reminded to carry forward the memory of those who gave their lives in service to the United States of America.