Students were paired with volunteer mentors that are professional designers. They helped refine and formalize the students’ designs.

The new flag will replace the current bland flag, which was designed in 1961 and is the county’s seal on a white background.

“As we approach Cook County’s bicentennial, we look forward to presenting a flag that will represent the County for the next 200 years,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said when the finalists were announced. “Our gratitude goes to the Cook County youth that put their minds and hearts into their designs. Their work will serve generations of Cook County residents to come.”

The new flag will highlight the beauty, diversity and values of the county.

The “Freedom” flag — created by student Jaime Joshua Fregoso, of Ray Graham Training Center High School in Chicago, with help from mentor Martinez E-B, an adjunct professor with Harper College’s Art Department — shows a large “C” wrapped around a yellow circle. A large white border is at the top of the flag with different shades of blue and green.

The white stands for transparency; blue for the lake and river; green for nature and parks; and yellow for the sun and peace. It aims to provide an uplifting and vibrant feeling.

Then there is the “Harmony” flag designed by student Alex Tomy of Maine East High School and designer Denny Liu. Its colors are blue, green, yellow and white with a red star in the middle.

The blue represents clear skies, Lake Michigan and police departments in the county. The green is representative of the county’s forest preserves. The semicircle in the inner is the middle initials of Daniel Cook — founder of Cook County.

The county’s new flag will be unveiled Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. on the county’s website.

The “Freedom” Flag was designed by student Jaime Fregoso and Martinez E-B Adjunct Professor Harper College Art Department. | Provided.

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This flag is dubbed “Harmony” by student Alex Tomy and Denny Liu Senior Designer The Office of Experience. | Provided.

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The “I Will” flag was designed by student Drew Duffy and graphic designer Martin Burciaga. | Provided

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The “Our Star” flag was designed by students Sofia Hogue and Ryan Bradley with help from Scott Rench Associate Creative Director Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. | Provided

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The “Strides for Cook County” flag was designed by students Charlye Hunt and Rayn White along with Carl Vogel Director of Communications Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

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The “New Century” Flag was created by student Time Mellman and Josh Witherspoon, creative director of Brand Density | Provided

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