GALESBURG, Ill. — The city of Galesburg is considering a new policy which would restrict the types of flags that can be flown at city buildings. The proposal comes after city council previously approved an LGBTQ+ flag and anti-abortion flag to be flown at city hall.
The amended ordinance would require that city employees, representatives, and volunteers only fly or otherwise display the following flags on or over city buildings:
- The flag of the United States
- The flag of the State of Illinois
- A flag bearing the City of Galesburg seal
- The National League of Families POW/MIA flag
- Service flags of the United States Military or official flags of government officials as appropriate for events
The policy would also apply to city property, vehicles, or any city provided uniform or clothing.
At an Oct. 16 council meeting, council members held a first reading of the flag policy but did not have any discussion on the matter. However, some community members were upset that the LGBTQ+ flag would not be flown under the new policy.
"When I see that flag, I see safety, I see dignity, I see respect. I see that I can be in this community as myself," one person said.
"There's some that say that not flying the flag of marginalized groups sends the message that you don't see us, but I disagree. I think the message is much worse. I think the truth is you see us, but you don't want to," another woman said.
6th ward council member Sarah Davis did comment on the policy later in the meeting. "I personally will always have a pride flag in front of my home, and I will always have a space for you," she said.
News 8 reached out to city officials at our other hometowns on what kind of flag policy they have, if any. Leaders at Rock Island, Muscatine, Bettendorf and Davenport said they do not have any formally written flag policy.
Bettendorf city attorney Chris Curran said, "We do not have a written formal flag policy, but we have a practice of only flying the U.S., State of Iowa, and City of Bettendorf flag on City of Bettendorf property."
Rock Island community economic development director Miles Brainard said, "We do not have a flag policy but we have discussed putting one on the books. We do fly Pride flags each June, but that came out because Clock Inc. bought the flags and asked us to fly them years ago. We don't really fly any other things."
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