His father was James A. McCartney, a civil war veteran from Illinois. He became the IL Attorney General from 1881-1885.

There were 12 other flag choices. Ten were designed by Illinois residents, students and even the great-grandchildren of Civil War veteran and past Illinois Attorney General James McCartney.

That would be (state) “Seal on a Bedsheet,” the derisive moniker with which some have burdened the Illinois state flag, a gleaming white banner emblazoned with the state's bald eagle-themed ...

The AP was alone in reporting that the executive inspector general for Illinois has begun an ... said he was familiar with the flag and was convinced that its construction and materials suggested a ...