RELATIONSHIP TO ILLINOIS:
I am 18 years old and a lifelong resident, born in Moline and currently living in Rock Island. My parents were also born and raised in this state.

EXPLAIN THE MEANING BEHIND YOUR FLAG:
The flag is divided into 7 stripes, in a pattern of white and blue alternating. The biggest blue stripe represents Lake Michigan while the smaller blue stripes represent the state’s various rivers such as the Mississippi and the Illinois. The center blue stripe contains 20 smaller stars surrounding a center star, which represent Illinois as the 21st state. The small white stripes represent the state’s industry and commerce while the bigger white stripes represent the state’s agriculture.