Illinois Celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month by Flying the Rainbow Flag Over its Capitol Building For 1st Time

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order, on Monday, stating that the rainbow flag will be flown above the state Capitol for the first time in state history to honor LGBTQ pride month.

Pritzker, a Democrat, has also been flying the LGBTQ pride flag at the Governor's mansion and marched in the Springfield, Illinois Pride Parade, May 18th.

According to Jonna J. Cooley, Executive Director of Phoenix Center, Central Illinois' LGBTQ Community Center, Pritzker asked the organization on Wednesday if they had any pride flags. They happily donated one.

"On Friday morning we looked out the window at Phoenix Center and there it was flying atop the Illinois State Capitol Building," said Cooley. "This historic moment brought tears to my eyes and to know that Phoenix Center played a role in making this happen was so meaningful. The Governor has done some amazing things to show his support of the LGBTQ community in the past couple of months! What a welcome change."