Will County raises Illinois Bicentennial flag celebrating 200th birthday
Will County Executive Larry Walsh and other local officials honored the 200th birthday of the State of Illinois today by raising the Illinois Bicentennial flag at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. A yearlong celebration will commemorate the state’s milestone birthday.
“We are proud in Will County to display this beautiful flag and acknowledge our state’s 200th birthday,” Walsh said. “Illinois is the 21st state in the union and I am proud of our progress. Despite the current challenges we face, it is important to note the proud history of progress over many past challenges. The future is still bright and our citizens are what makes Illinois great.”
The official birthday of the state of Illinois is December 3, 1818. Today’s event marked the beginning of the yearlong campaign, “Born Built, & Grown” which will honor the people, places, and things that make Illinois strong, kind, and beautiful. Numerous flag-raising events occurred simultaneously today across the state.
Other statewide events include a Martin Luther King celebration on January 15, 2018 and a birthday bash on Presidents’ Day, February 19, 2018. A complete list of events can be found on the website: illinois200.com.
“As a lifelong resident of Will County, I have personally witnessed many changes over the years,” Walsh said. “I am very proud of the history of Will County and the state of Illinois and look forward to our continued success. We will proudly display this Bicentennial flag over the county building in 2018.”
Cutline: Will County Executive Larry Walsh (at podium) was joined by (from left to right) Will County Facilities Manager Joel Van Essen, Will County Board Minority Leader Herb Brooks, Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt, County Clerk Nancy Voots, and Father Chris Groh from St. Mary Magdalene Church in Joliet at today’s Illinois Bicentennial flag raising event at the County Office Building. (photo courtesy of Will County Executive Office)
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