Author: Liz Polmanski

Colors: Green, white, yellow, and blue

Meanings/Symbolism: The green stripe represents the earth generally and specifically the nature, green pastures, and forest preserves in the county. The white stripe represents the city between the forest preserves and the Lake. The blue stripe generally represents water in the county and more specifically Lake Michigan. The yellow star represents light and the clearness of day as the sun shines over the entire city and county, from the Lake to the forests. There is a progression of those physical/geographical elements on the flag from the Lake on the left-East side of the flag to city in the center of the flag to the forest preserves on the right-West side of the flag.

More idealistically, the white represents kindness and clarity; the blue represents clarity, calm, and relaxation; and the green represents growth and renewal. Finally, the star represents guidance.

The name of the flag, “Pax” or “Paxy” is Latin for peace, as this flag is supposed to evoke a sense of peace or tranquility when seeing it.

Star meaning:
A six pointed star to represent the County’s seat in Chicago. The six points also represents There are six main geographic regions of the County and the suburban regions that inhabit them.

Blue represents:
Lake Michigan, the rivers which run throughout the County and feed the lake. The color blue in the flag represents the trust and wisdom of the Cook County and of its officials.

White represents:
The people who come from all over the nation and the world and there strive for peace and justice.

Green represents:
The Cook counties CONTINUES commitment to the preservation of the environment and Forest Preserves; and as a center of commerce for the nation.

In this design, I chose to focus on specific colors that represent the many beautiful and diverse regions of Cook County.I have tried to keep it as simple as possible, so that even a two year old can draw it. The following colors mean:

Green: The many forested areas of Cook County, including Forest Preserve. The green is placed horizontally to represent our commitment to keeping the forest clean, safe and perpetual so that it can continue to thrive for years to come.

Blue: Represents the large bodies of water, such as Lake Michigan, but also the many rivers like, the Des Plains, and Illinois rivers. The rectangle was made to be quite huge as the bodies of water are major source for our survival and our love of the open water.

White: Represents the peace, and humanity towards one another. I made sure to make white the most prevalent color to revel its purity. Also stands for the bright vision of the future that every citizen should strive to follow. I added two rectangles next to the green, as way of showing the peace to be also everlasting.

Symbol: 5 pointed star: Represents are duty as citizen of these United States, and also as citizen of Cook County. Each point represents the 5 distinct regions coming together in common goal, to work for the better tomorrow.

This is my description of my flag. I hope you enjoyed it. As a citizen of the greatest country on earth I would be deeply honored to have my flag hoisted up along side the Stars and Stripes.

The color blue on the flag represents our beloved Lake Michigan and all the resources that we get from it. Without our glorious lake, life would not function the same in Cook County. Which is why we need to strive to preserve it in all of its beauty. The color white represents the county’s purity, prosperity and pride. This county stands as a symbol for all that was accomplished to get where we are today. The color green represent the expansive forest preserves. The color yellow represents the sun shining on the county and the many opportunities that come with it. Finally there are 30 stars in a circle around the county which represent the 30 townships in the county.

The stars represent major historical events. Such as the great Chicago Fire of 1871, Worlds Columbian Exhibition, Century of Progress Exhibition, and Fort Dearborn. Just as the Chicago flag.
The Blue represents the bodies of water in Cook County such as The Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
The outline of Cook County is the borders of Cook County.
The blue and white also represents the amazing city that is in cook county Chicago.
The white is for the long winters.

I chose the color blue for the Lake Michigan that is by the popular city of Cook County, which is Chicago. The red bird is the cardinal that is the state bird of Illinois. The stars are usually from the Chicago flag. I chose the color white since it does blend in with the other colors.

My name is Javion Hollins and this is my Cook County Flag. For my flag, I used red, blue, green, and white. The blue represents the Michigan Lake. The Green represents the forest preserves. The white is for the unity of our county. The red is for the red line that connects the north and the south side. I used 14 stars because Cook County is the 14th largest county in the United States. The C on the flag stands for Cook County. It also stands for our county seat, Chicago.

The tree represents the Forest Preserves and importance of the environment. The road represents the highway system and how we are all connected. The heart represents the importance of healthcare. The Willis Tower represents the City of Chicago and architecture. The colors are red, blue, white, and gold.

A light, blue background was chose to represent one of cook county’s most prevalent features: Lake Michigan. Then, the open hands holding heart represents everything cook county gives to the world, which is so much.

102 Gold stars represent all of the counties
Cook County colored in blue to represent the lake

At the focal point of my flag, I made a six pointed star to represent the city of Chicago. The star is made out of six white oak leaves connected together. White oak is the state tree and goes together with green half of the flag to symbolize the counties extensive forest preserves. The six sided star represents the six geographical regions of the county.The blue represents the lake which borders the eastern portion of the county. The top yellow portion of the star is made to look like a rising sun over the lake. The White portion of the flag is meant to represent the cleanliness of the county.

My flower represents the 6 suburban region an the yellow color represents the citizens happy in the special place the blue stripes in the background represents the rivers.

For my flag, I incorporated five stars to represent the population of Cook County, 5.2 million. The larger and red star in the center represents Chicago and the grey stars represent the abundant transportation services provided throughout Cook County. The light blue stripe above the stars pays tribute to Lake Michigan and the green stripe beneath the stars gives credit to the numerous parks and reserves in Cook County.

On my flag, I have four stripes on it and six stars with six points. The two grey stripes represent all the roads and transportation in Cook County. The two blue stripes represent the rivers. Also, the six stars serve as the six regions in Cook County. While the six points serve for the police, firefighters, justice system, health care, forest preserve, and commerce. Finally, I chose red for the stars to connect my flag back to Chicago.

The green stripe represents the forest preserves and farmland in cook county, the yellow stripe represents the large amount of lakefront and beaches on Lake Michigan, the blue stripe represents the lake itself, and the yellow semi circle represents the sunrise on Lake Michigan. This sunrise represents how hardworking people are, as they often get up very early, as well as a new beginning that comes with the change of the county’s flag. Within the sunrise is the city of Chicago, since it is such a large portion of cook county and is the city that cook county is known for.

On my flag, I have L stripes with the colors of the Chicago flag, to represent the flag in a new way. The maple tree which is one of the most common trees in Cook County represents all the forest preserves and parks surrounded by all the regions that are the stripes. The L stripes pay tribute to the “L” which is a transit system, in the heart of the city and surrounding suburbs.

The ideation behind this design was to incorporate different aspects that make up cook county. In total, there are 6 stripes to represent the six main geographic regions. Within those stripes, the dark blue ones represent the rivers, that lighter blue ones represent the lake, and the green stripe represents the forest preserve. In the middle, there’s half of a compass rose to represent the 5 suburban regions; North, Northwest, West, Southwest, and south. The idea behind the name. “Nature’s Star”, is because 3 of the stripes colors are nature features (river, lake, forest), and on top of them is a “star”.

The nine stripes represent the nine courts in cook county as well as our lake. The green is for the nature and the forest preserves we have here. Blue is for the lake and the pink circle represents our county flower, the purple coneflower. The encompassing green also represents how we have a strong, united community that even reaches the lakeside.

The blue quarter circle is a symbol for Lake Michigan which our whole county is built around, in the color of Chicago blue. The red 6-sided star is a symbol for Chicago which is the main part of Cook County. The six-sided star is a main feature of the flag of Chicago as well. The green stripes represent the many forrest preserves located throughout Cook County. The yellow stripes represent the counties beaches which are a big attraction. Yellow is also one of the counties colors.

Colors: Yellow, light blue, dark blue, and orange

Meanings/Symbolism: As with the previous, literal version of this flag, yellow is the sun; the light blue at the top is the sky; and, the dark blue at the bottom is Lake Michigan. So, the sun rising in the morning out of Lake Michigan into the sky above. Finally, the 6 points on the star/sun represent the 6 regions of Cook County and the sun shining equally over those 6 regions.

Idealistically, as with the previous, literal version of this flag, yellow represents hope and happiness; light blue at the top represents peace and calm and relaxation; and dark blue represents the deep steady loyalty that is part and parcel of our Midwestern values. There is this added component: the orange at the bottom of the 6-pointed star stands for the hope and happiness not yet fully realized in the county. It represents the unfinished work that WILL be realized. It is the hope for the future; the hope of a new day. The county is hard at work to bring a brighter, more hopeful future for all of its citizens, but there is still work to do; and, more importantly, that work WILL be accomplished.

Colors: Yellow, light blue, and dark blue

Meanings/Symbolism: Yellow is the sun. The light blue at the top is the sky. And the dark blue at the bottom is Lake Michigan. So, the sun rising in the morning out of Lake Michigan into the sky above.
Idealistically (although this is a very literal design), yellow represents hope and happiness. Light blue at the top represents peace and calm and relaxation. And dark blue represents the deep steady loyalty that is part and parcel of our Midwestern values.

The two blue lines represent the rivers that run throughout the county and feed the lake. The green six pointed star located in the middle of the flag represents cook county being the center of commerce for the nation (with the color green representing commerce and the location representing the center aspect), the six sides represent the six main geographic regions of the county, and the green color/points also represent the forest preserve by looking like layers of trees. The black lines and black circle surrounding the star represent the transportation and roadways built in Cook county that bring in people from all across the nation and world.

The blue buildings show the amazing architecture of Chicago, the river in front of the buildings is the Michigan River, the people inside the buildings represent the ethnical/racial diversity of the population, the subway inside the buildings is a example of transportation in Cook County, the tree and bush inside the buildings represent the many nature parks in Cook County, the airplane inside the buildings illustrates the popularity of air travel in Cook County, and the black gavel represents the jury, in which Cook County is most known for.

Colors: Red, yellow, and blue
Meanings/Symbolism: The yellow star in the middle of the flag represents both the city of Chicago and the sun. The 6 points of the star represent the 6 regions of Cook County. The blue lines/rays radiating out from the points of the star represent the different lakes and rivers of the county. The 6 sections that are formed by those rays/lines also represent the 6 regions of the county.
Idealistically, the red represents love (think of the red associated, for example, with Valentine’s Day), but this is a broader type of love, not limited to romantic love. The red also represents power, strength, Midwestern values, morality, and a strong Midwestern work ethic. The blue lines/rays represent peace, calm, relaxation, and life. And the yellow represents clarity and hope.

The blue represents Lake Michigan and how it plays a role in everyday cook county goers life. The green represents the land reserved for forest preserves. Finally the gold stars represent the six geographic areas of cook county.

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.

There are two Y-shaped prongs. The red prong points backward and is the rich history of the County, which lies behind us but continues to serve as a memory of where we’ve come from. The golden prong points forward and represents a beam of light that leads the County into its future. At the confluence of remembrance and progress is the white six-pointed star; like a beating heart, it pumps the lifeblood of the country and pours out joy. The star’s central position mimics Cook County’s central placement in the geographical and cultural landscape of the nation. Additionally, the meeting of so many colors at the singular six-pointed star conveys the unity that the people of Cook County find in their diversity.

The six-pointed star as well as the prong design are reminiscent of the iconography used on the flag of Chicago in its current form, as well as the form it took in 1892. While this design recognizes the important role that the City of Chicago has played in the County’s history, it includes perspectives that represent the entire county, not just the City.

This flag represents the major elements of cook county. The blue stripe represents Lake Michigan and any other bodies of water in the county. the white stripe represents the cleanliness of the county. The green stripe represents Cook county’s nature and parks. The red star represents Chicago and its importance to the county.

This flag is effective because it holds a message that is more eye opening to so that people can realize that though this a beautiful city, with beautiful people and quality that compose this city– There are parts of the city that people don’t bring awareness to. The Stripes, stars, and colors all have meaning that compose this flag. Maroon representing the discrimination of minorities; black representing the darkness that the city encounters within lower-middle class and/or lower class civilians in the city; and gold representing the hope of Minorities within the city, though there is a sense of chaos. The stars representing issues that Minorities specifically experience within cook county; The stripes representing the segregation within the city of Chicago; and the arrangement of the stars represent the chaotic society with politics, Economics, and social classes. Though this flag is my end result, this was not my original design because originally the flag was going to have bright colors, however I thought the colors should match the message the flag has.

The background of my flag is comprised of eight blue stripes. Each stripe represents a major body of water that influences the daily life of the people of Cook County, from Lake Michigan the Skokie Lagoons. In the center of my flag is a large gold star, representative of the city of Chicago. Chicago is often regarded as the political, economic, and social focal point of Cook County, so I thought it should be treated as such. Behind the star lies the Chicago skyline, a view known all over the world. Surrounding the Chicago star is a ring of 38 smaller gold stars, representative of all other townships in Cook County. On either side of the circle is the name of our beloved county. Both the water and land of our county are represented and brought together in this design.

Lakerise depicts a sun gently rising over the horizon, reflecting a line of trees along the edge of a lake shore. In the flag, the deep blue represents Lake Michigan. Reflected by the lake, a jagged green line of trees stands on the shoreline, symbolizing our vast forest preserves. The combined image of our lake and our forest preserves display our ongoing commitment to our environment. Above the preserve, where the trees come together to form a united peak, supported by the three peaks of health care, justice, and commerce, rises our morning sun. This sun represents us, the diverse people of Cook County who unite under one Lakerise.

Colors: Blue, silver/white, and yellow
Meanings/Symbolism: Geographically, the blue stands for Lake Michigan. The silver/white is the Bean, or Cloud Gate. The yellow stands for the sun shining over Cook County. The 6 points on the star stand for the 6 regions of Cook County.
Idealistically, the blue stands for justice and/or freedom. The star also stands for justice, especially Restorative Justice, in Cook County; and that the yellow in the star represents hope.

Colors: Red, green, and orange
Meanings/Symbolism: The 6 stars with 6 points stand for the 6 regions of Cook County. Red stands for the people of Cook County in connection taking care of each other. Green stands for spring, nature, forest preserves, and parks in the county. The orange around the green stars stands for the sun rising in the morning, with each rising sun representing new beginnings.

Idealistically, red stands for connection, unity, power, and love. Green stands for brightness, beauty, peace, re-birth, and re-growth. Orange stands for the unity of a new day, peace, and connection.

The green background for the natures preserves in our county. The gear with six sides for being the 6th largest county in Illinois, and for the inventions that have come from this county. A figure of a person in different shades on each gear notch to represent the diversity in Cook County. The light blue in the center to represent Lake Michigan and the Chicago flag. The six-sided red star is also a reference to the Chicago flag.

Star:
5 Points: the star has five points to represent the five elements that cook county focuses: people, commerce, mission, ecology, and geography
Color: the star is colored blue because it represents Cook county’s loyalty and the promise to speak the truth
Circle:
Cyclical: the cycle that is the circle, it represents the never ending pursuit to heal the environment
Color: the green represents environmental conservation
Background: the almost dark gold is a tribute to the old cook county flag which had gold as the color of the county
Wreath: this wreath represents the promise of triumph to the goals of; the economy, the truth, and conservation of the environment. It also represents the strength of the cook county people

Star 1- it shows how the cook county welcomes people all around the world
Star 2- show how respectful the cook county is
Star 4- shows how safe cook county is.
Star 5- free healthcare.
Star 6- how the environment is good, airports, railroads.
The drawing represents where it’s located at. The color of grey is for our soldiers to show
Respect for what they have done for us so their color suit grey represents the color of the flag and the color blue represents the people who lives in the cook county and how they keep it safe and clean.

Colors: Yellow, blue, green, and white

Meanings/Symbolism: It is inspired by the City of Chicago’s flag. It has 31 stars because Cook County was founded in 1831. It has 4 colors. The yellow symbolizes the sun and peace. Blue represents the sky and water/the lake/the Chicago River. Green represents nature and the forests. The colored stripes are powerful. They represent water and nature. But, more notably, they visually guide you around the whole flag. The stars have 6 points to represent the 6 regions of the county.

Colors: Blue and yellow

Meanings/Symbolism: Blue represents the waters of Cook County, especially Lake Michigan. Yellow represents the sun shining over the blue waters of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, and the other lakes and rivers of the county. The 6 points on the star represents the 6 regions of Cook County.
More idealistically, blue represents the American Way, loyalty, peace, and relaxation. And yellow represents justice and hope.

In the flag there are two circles and one rectangle, there is a circle with a tree inside that represents the close bond we have with the Forest Preserve. The color green represents the trees in the Forest Preserve, and the color symbolizes nature and growth. The color blue represents water that’s from Lake Michigan and the Forest Preserve, and the color symbolizes wisdom and confidence. And finally white represents the snow we get during the winter, and the color symbolizes simplicity.