CHICAGO — With the recent murder of an on-duty Chicago police officer, some people are wondering why flags around the city aren’t at half-staff.
Far too often, Chicago’s flags fly at half-staff in honor of first responders, military personnel, and others who gave their lives in service. But who decides whether and when to lower the flags? And when are they raised again?
As you may expect, the solemn ritual is carefully detailed and enshrined in a state law called the Illinois Flag Display Act.
Under the law, the governor has the power to order the American and state flags flown at half-staff to honor the line-of-duty deaths of, among others, Illinois members of the armed forces, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.
The law is also specific about when flags are to be flown at half-staff: the day of the fallen’s funeral and the two days preceding that day. However, the governor issues an order detailing the exact dates and times each time the honor is bestowed.
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