Milwaukee’s years long flag saga could be drawing to a close — maybe.
The Common Council on June 24 approved the creation of a task force to close the book on the debate over the flag’s design.
The legislation spearheaded by Alderman Peter Burgelis would identify a new flag ahead of the city’s 180th anniversary on Jan. 31, 2026.
The new selection process seeks to address concerns from Milwaukee officials about the inclusivity of how flag design options were identified in the past.
“That process wasn’t perfect, we can do better, and we’re doing better with this task force,” Burgelis said.
The recommendation would need approval by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, but he’s already signaled that he’d back the idea.
“I am optimistic Milwaukee will have a fitting flag approved soon,” he said in a statement.
This latest development follows a tug-of-war over the flag’s design that started in 1897 when a flag design by John Amberg that read “Steady Progress” won a Milwaukee Journal contest, but was never adopted. Milwaukee’s city flag has been the subject of controversy ever since.
2024: Almost official
Just last year, the Common Council considered making the Robert Lenz’s “Sunrise over The Lake” design, also known as the People’s Flag, official, but this move prompted a heated debate about the legitimacy of the People’s Flag.
In 2024, Johnson said that he didn’t feel like the “People’s Flag” design encompassed the entire Milwaukee community. Some council members shared the same sentiment.
During the debate, Alderman Robert Bauman proposed a design that put a rendering of City Hall in the middle of the People’s Flag, but this idea was shot down quickly by other council members.
2001-2018: The unofficial ‘People’s Flag’
In 2001, the Common Council wanted to amend the city’s original flag design, but nothing came of the effort. So 15 years later in 2016, the People’s Flag was entered in a design contest and ultimately won. This success, though, didn’t make the flag official.
In 2018, the Common Council and the Milwaukee Arts Board worked together to determine a way to authorize a new official flag to replace the 1954 Fred Steffan design.
In this process, the Arts Board felt that the People’s Flag, which had been adopted by many in the city at this point, wasn’t as inclusive as it should’ve been, both in where it was being flown, and who was involved in the selection process.
1954: County Stadium and barley stalks
The city’s official flag was designed by former Alderman Fred Steffan and adopted in 1954.
It’s been criticized as being too cluttered, and features a cluster of symbols that represent the city, including a church, factory, the County Stadium and barley stalks.
This flag is still Milwaukee’s official flag and hangs in City Hall and other government offices. Now, it looks like the prospect of a new flag could be on the horizon.
Present day: The Task Force
The task force will include three members appointed by the mayor, three members appointed by Common Council President José G. Pérez and three members appointed by the chair of the Milwaukee Arts Board, Alderwoman Milele Coggs.
To fix concerns about inclusivity in the process of selecting a flag, the task force would allow submissions to be made both online and in person.
Burgelis said he expects the People’s Flag design to be resubmitted but welcomes new proposals.
“There might be a really good new idea, and I’m all for it of something better comes through this process,” Burgelis said. “We deserve that end from a more inclusive process.”
They would also prioritize accessibility for all residents. After narrowing down 10 finalist flag designs, the Common Council will vote on the recommendations by Dec. 31, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The saga of Milwaukee’s official flag could be entering its final chapter. What to know about the latest twist
Reporting by Sophia Tiedge , Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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