SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — The state of Illinois might be getting a new flag.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said public submissions for a new design will be accepted starting Tuesday.

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Ten of those designs will be selected.

SEE ALSO: Rancho Cucamonga woodworker’s patriotic passion, making flags that are works of art

After a public feedback period, the general assembly will decide whether to adopt a new flag or keep the current one.

Visit www.ilsos.gov or submit designs via mail addressed to Illinois Flag Commission, Howlett Building, Room 476, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756.

Minnesota unveiled its new flag in December 2023, using a similar method to the one adopted by Illinois, a news release from Giannoulias’ office Wednesday said. Both Michigan and Maine are also considering an official change in their state flags, the release said.

Eastern Illinois at Illinois, Thursday, 9 p.m. ET (BTN)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Illinois by 27 1/2.

Series record: Illinois leads 2-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Illinois needs a decisive victory to show it has tossed aside the disappointing conclusion to last season — two-point losses in the final two games cost them a bowl bid — and has the ability to make some noise in the Big Ten. Bret Bielema is 18-19 in three seasons in Champaign, with a promising 8-5 finish bookended by two 5-7 seasons.

Eastern Illinois, 8-3 a year ago and ranked No. 24 in the final FCS poll, has an opportunity to pull off a major upset against a foe just 56 miles from its campus in Charleston.

KEY MATCHUP

Eastern Illinois QB Pierce Holley vs. the Illinois defense. Holley, a two-year starter, passed for 2,741 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, his first at Eastern Illinois after transferring from Georgetown. The Illini led the nation in scoring defense in 2022 (12 points per game) but slipped last season to No. 95 (29 points per game). The Illini hope CB Terrance Brooks, a transfer from Texas, will shore up their secondary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Eastern Illinois: LB Elijawah Tolbert is a two-time first team All-Big South/OVC selection. He led the Panthers last season with 87 tackles, including seven for loss. Tolbert entered the transfer portal after last season and went through spring practice at Missouri State, but returned to Eastern Illinois during the summer.

Illinois: WR Zakhari Franklin, a transfer from Ole Miss, is college football’s active career leader in receptions (266), receiving yards (3,386) and receiving touchdowns (38). He’s been reunited with Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., who was Franklin’s OC at UTSA, where he began his college career.

FACTS & FIGURES

Illinois is 3-0 in season openers under Bielema, beating Nebraska, Wyoming and Toledo at home. … Former Eastern Illinois football player Chris Wilkerson returned to his alma mater in 2022 to coach the Panthers after a successful eight-year run as the coach at the University of Chicago. After a 2-9 season in Wilkerson’s first year as Eastern Illinois’ coach in 2022, the Panthers turned things around last season. They were one of the final four teams considered for the FCS playoffs. … Of the 120 players on the Illinois roster, 45 are new to the program. … Illinois offensive linemen have a combined 96 starts and 168 games in their collegiate careers … The Illini have 17 players, including nine transfers, who have started 10 or more games in college. … Illinois and Eastern Illinois last met in 2008. The Illini won 47-21.

How to Watch Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois

Game Time: 8 p.m. Thursday

TV Channel: BTN

Online Streaming: FOX Sports GO

Odds: ILL -28, O/U 45

Quick Hits:

Illinois Fighting Illini (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Head Coach: Bret Bielema (4th season, 18-19 record)

Last Game: 45-43 loss to Northwestern

Gameday Reading:

Eastern Illinois Panthers (0-0)

Head coach: Chris Wilkerson (3rd season, 10-12)

Last game: 28-14 win over Robert Morris

What Happened the Last Time These Two Teams Played?

Sept. 6, 2008: Illinois 47, EIU 21

How about this gem from News-Gazette veteran Scott Richey, when he covered EIU!

CHAMPAIGN – Eastern had a chance to take the lead against No. 24 Illinois about six minutes before halftime. The Panthers had the ball at the Illinois seven-yard line, but could not pick up that crucial yard with consecutive rushing plays.

Illinois then scored twice before the second quarter came to a close to increase their lead to 19-7 en route to a 47-21 victory.

The Fighting Illini dominated with their ground game with 399 rushing yards on 53 carries. Illinois junior quarterback Juice Williams had an Illinois record 174 yards and scored twice on the ground. Williams also completed 16-of-25 passes for 124 yards and another touchdown.