PEORIA, IL-The governor signed into law a new requirement for state agencies and local governments—they must purchase American-made American flags. “The flag is an important national symbol, perhaps our most important national symbol,” said State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), the measure’s chief Senate sponsor. “We should support domestic industry and buy flags made on American soil by American workers.”

A number of American companies manufacture American flags, but oftentimes foreign-made products are less expensive, leading agencies and units of local governments to buy them instead. From now on, that will no longer be an option. Buying the domestically produced flags will demonstrate Illinois’ faith in indigenous industry and help strengthen the economy.

“I believe it’s important to consider where the items we buy are produced,” Koehler said. “For flags and other national symbols, it makes sense to buy domestic products as a matter of patriotic pride. For big-ticket items like automobiles, supporting domestic industry should also at least be a factor.”

Koehler has a long history of supporting American workers, dating back decades before he was elected to the Illinois Senate. Earlier this year, he proposed a measure that would have required state agencies and units of local government to purchase vehicles made in the United States. He also is supportive of measures that support the local economy, such as buying locally-grown food products.