Here’s The Reason American Flags in Illinois Are Staying at Half-Staff

U.S. flags across the country were taken down to half-staff as America remembered September 11 on Monday, but in Illinois, they remain lowered.

Governor Pritzker Ordered Flags Lowered Beginning September 9

Before flags went to half-staff in honor of 9/11, there was an order by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to lower flags for according to the Illinois Flag Display Act which says the flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the state whenever "an Illinois member of the armed forces, police force, fire service and other groups covered by the Act" is killed in the line of duty.

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In a press release from the Governor's office, flags were ordered half-staff in honor and remembrance of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Connor Mandeville-Rakers from the LeRoy Emergency Ambulance Service.

All U.S. and state flags were to be flown half-staff from sunrise on Saturday, September 9 through sunset on September 11.

Flags Staying Lowered Through September 13 in Illinois

You may see American flags at full staff on the Wisconsin and Iowa sides, but in Illinois, they will remain lowered.

READ MORE: Why is a US Flag Flying Upside Down in Illinois?

According to the Governor's office, the reason they are still at half-staff across Illinois is because of the death of a firefighter.

In a press release from Governor Pritzer's office, all U.S. flags are to be at half-staff through Sunset on Wednesday, September 13 to honor Lieutenant and Emergency Medical Technician Kevin P. Ward of the Chicago Fire Department.

What's the difference between half-staff and half-mast?

According to USHistory.org, the term half-staff is used when lowering the flag over land, and while they've been used interchangeably, half-mast is more commonly used when lowering the flag at sea.

You can find out when the flag is lowered to half-staff nationally on Twitter by clicking HERE.