The United States flag is flown at half-staff to mark solemn occasions when the country or a state is in mourning. The Nation's flag should be flown at half-staff on the following dates and other days as ordered by the Illinois Governor or President of the United States:
- May 5 - National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service
- May 15 - Peace Officer's Memorial Day
- May - Memorial Day
- September 11 - Patriot Day
- December 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Some common reasons for flying the flag at half-staff include:
Death of a government official, military member, or emergency first responder
This includes the death of a principal figure in the US government, a state governor, or a member of Congress. The flag may also be flown at half-staff for 10 days after the death of a vice president, chief justice, or speaker of the House of Representatives.
National tragedy
This could include the death of an associate justice of the Supreme Court or a secretary of a military department.
National day of remembrance
This includes Memorial Day, which honors those who have died while serving the US, and National Peace Officers Memorial Day. On Memorial Day, the flag is usually flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to full staff until sundown.
Other occasions
The flag may also be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day, Fire Prevention Week, and National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
If you would like to receive an alert when flags should be flown at half-staff please click on the link below then under "Areas of Interest" select "Specific Subjects/Agencies", then "Flag Honors".