“The field of blue conveys vigilance, perseverance, and justice. It is representative of the waterways of the County and Lake Michigan, which not only form a large part of the County’s area, but which have also been integral to its history and development. The singular star represents the unity of the county. It is reminiscent of the iconography used on the flag of Chicago, recognizing the important role that the City has played in the County’s history. The star conveys the guiding force that Cook County has served in pushing the bounds of American innovation in the arts and sciences. The red foundation on the hoist side of the flag represents the rich, but sometimes troubled, history of the County from which we came. The yellow arrow pointing forward represents the golden future of the County that we aspire to.”