(A) It is the policy of the city to promote respect for the flag of the United States of America, as well as proving the appropriate honor to all flags displayed on city property by establishing a policy governing the display of flags on city property and uniform.
(B) It is also the policy of the city to uphold the founding principles of Freedom of Speech and Equal Protection such that no citizen believes that the city engages in viewpoint discrimination, nor government speech against individuals' personally held beliefs.
(C) It is the intent of this policy to promote a positive message of unity within the city, avoiding political division, disparagement, or discrimination.
(D) This policy applies to all property, buildings, facilities, and vehicles owned or controlled by the city, and the uniform or city provided clothing of all individuals employed by, who represent, or who volunteer with the city, unless otherwise contradicted by statute or contract.
(E) The city, its employees, representatives, and volunteers shall only fly or otherwise display on or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings, facilities, or vehicles, or on any uniform or city provided clothing, no flag other than one of the following flags, used by the United States of America, the State of Illinois, and the City of Galesburg as official government symbols:
(1) The flag of the United States;
(2) The flag of the State of Illinois;
(3) A flag bearing the City of Galesburg seal;
(4) The National League of Families POW/MIA flag (36 U.S.C. § 902); and
(5) Service flags of the United States Military or official flags of government officials (including other national/state flags or official flags of the office holder), when appropriate for events or occasions, provided that service flags and government official flags are not to be displayed on a day-to-day basis, but only for the purpose of the event or occasion.
(F) For all flags flown or otherwise displayed on or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings, facilities, or vehicles, or on any uniform or city provided clothing, the city, its employees, representatives, and volunteers shall follow all applicable United States Code and Illinois State statutes governing the display and care of flags and shall only fly or otherwise display the flags authorized herein in accordance with the applicable code and statutes.
(G) On or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings, facilities, or vehicles, or on any uniform or city provided clothing:
(1) No other flag shall be placed above the flag of the United States and no other flag shall be larger than the flag of the United States when flown or displayed together.
(2) When the flag of the United States is displayed together with another flag, the flag of the United States shall be displayed in the highest point of honor, which is typically in front, above, and to the flag's right.
(3) If displayed with more than one other flag, the flag of the United States shall be displayed in the highest point of honor, which is typically the center.
(4) When flown or displayed with other flags, the flag of the United States shall always be hoisted or displayed first, and lowered or removed last.
(H) On or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings, or facilities where provisions for flag flying or display exist, the flag of the United States shall be displayed on all days. The flag of the United States shall be flown at City Hall daily. (4 U.S.C. § 4e).
(I) On or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings, or facilities, no flag shall be flown or displayed other than the flag of the United States without also flying or displaying the flag of the United States.
(J) On or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings, or facilities where provisions for flag flying or display exist, flags shall be flown or displayed at half staff in the following manner:
(1) May 15 - half-staff all day for all flags;
(2) Last Monday in May-half-staff until noon for all flags;
(3) September 11 - half-staff all day for all flags;
(4) December 7 - half-staff all day for all flags;
(5) At the direction of the President of the United States for all flags;
(6) At the request of the Governor of the State of Illinois for all flags; and
(7) At any other lawful time directed by the Mayor for Galesburg's flag.
(K) On or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings, or facilities, when a flag is to be flown or displayed, it should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
(L) On or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings or facilities, when a flag is to be flown or displayed at half staff, the flag will first be hoisted to the peak briskly, then lowered to the half-staff position. Prior to being taken down, the flag shall again be hoisted to the peak, prior to being fully lowered.
(M) On or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings or facilities, when displayed or flown at night, flags must be lit.
(N) No advertising shall be fastened to any pole, staff, or halyard from which a flag is flown on or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings, or facilities.
(O) For all flags flown or otherwise displayed on or over city owned, leased, or controlled property, buildings, facilities, or vehicles, or on any uniform or city provided clothing, the order of precedence is:
(1) The flag of the United States;
(2) The flag of the State of Illinois;
(3) The National League of Families POW/MIA flag;
(4) A flag bearing the City of Galesburg seal;
(5) The flag of visiting dignitaries/officials; and
(6) Service flags in their order of precedence (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard).
(Ord. 23-3714, passed 11-6-2023)