CHICAGO – Far too often, Chicago flags fly at half-staff to honor first responders, service members and others who gave their lives in service. But who decides if and when the flags will be lowered? And when will they be picked up again?
As you might expect, the solemn ritual is carefully detailed and codified in a state law called the Illinois Flag Display Law.
Under law, the governor has the power to fly the U.S. and state flags at half-staff to honor the on-duty deaths of members of the Illinois armed forces, law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency responders, among others. medical technicians.
The law also specifies when flags must be flown at half-mast: the day of the burial of the fallen and the two days leading up to that day. However, the governor issues an order stating the exact dates and times each time the honor is bestowed.
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CWBChicago was founded in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had become discouraged by the inaccurate information presented during local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has since expanded to Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown and other North Side areas. But our mission remains unchanged: to provide original public safety reporting with better context and more detail than mainstream media. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com
