Flag raising ceremony last signature Bicentennial event until Aug. 26, but other events are planned.

Bicentennial flags across the state were raised simultaneously Monday at noon as part of a statewide signature bicentennial event, but one self-described historian said more needs to be done.
In Iroquois County, retired Circuit Judge Robert Dannehl called on officials and citizens to raise the level of government.
Dannehl spoke at a flag-raising event in front of the courthouse in Watseka. A similar event was held in Paxton where Ford County Board member Chase McCall read a proclation.
The next signature event isn’t until Aug. 26, the anniversary of Illinois’ first constitution.

Springfield’s Pasfield House owner Tony Leone was on a Bicentennial planning commission under Gov. Pat Quinn. He said some ideas from that effort weren’t carried over.

Leone said he doesn’t want to be a downer, but he fears in the transition of administrations some of the moment got lost in the shuffle.

Events other than signature events are scheduled throughout the rest of the year with details at Illinois200.com.

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