Why are flags lowered in Illinois? Trump orders to honor Dolly Parton
Why are flags lowered in Illinois? Trump orders to honor Dolly Parton
Hannah Hudnall and Joey Garrison, Peoria Journal StarTue, August 25, 2026 at 8:29 PM UTC
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President Donald Trump said he ordered U.S. flags to be lowered today in honor of country star Dolly Parton, who died today at age 80.
Here's what we know about why flags will be lowered and how long they're set to stay that way.
Why are flags at half-staff today?
In a Truth Social post shared shortly after Parton's death was announced, Trump said he directed the American flags to be lowered across the country for the next week beginning at 5 p.m. CT on Aug. 25.
"Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will," Trump wrote. "In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you."
Parton's death was announced in a video message from her nephew Bryan Seaver on her social media pages. "Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by (her husband) Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens," he said in the video.
No cause was provided for Parton's death, but concerns about her health grew in 2025 after she postponed a concert tour due to what the singer called "health challenges." Her sister Frieda Parton later made a public appeal to the singer's fans for them to pray for her sister.
Pritzker responds to Dolly Parton death
Gov. JB Pritzker shared his thoughts about Parton's death on X.
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"She spread her love by caring deeply for young children, and she created through her Dollywood Foundation the Imagination Library, which we've adopted here in the state of Illinois," Pritzker said in the video. "It's now allowing more than 100,000 kids to receive books at home every month so that their parents can read to them and they can learn how to read."
Pritzker described Parton as an "inspiration," "a lovely person" and "someone who cared deeply about the people of this country."
He did not mention an order to lower flags in Illinois.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
There are three reasons why both U.S. and state flags are lowered to half-staff:
Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance.
The death of a government official, military member or emergency first responder.
A national tragedy.
Half-mast vs half-staff
Flags are flown at half-mast on ships and naval stations ashore. But if you happen to be on dry land, flags on a flagpole are flown at half-staff.
CONTRIBUTING: John Tufts, IndyStar
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Why are flags lowered in Illinois? Trump orders to honor Dolly Parton
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
