LANSING | As part of a historical society project, residents are invited to submit their designs for a village flag.

Entry forms are available at the Lansing Public Library or the Village Hall and will be collected through May 16, said Lansing Historical Society President Don Olsen.

Olsen said the society decided to take on the project after discovering the village was without a flag despite a 1976 centennial contest the Junior Women's Society sponsored. According to newspaper clippings discovered by members of the historical society, the women's club held a contest and chose a winning design.

The drawing was approved by the Village Board but a flag was never produced and no record of the design was ever found.

With the new Village Hall set for completion this year, Olsen said there is no better time to pick the project up again.

Anyone at least 18 years old can submit a drawing. Olsen said the historical society will narrow down the finalists and the Village Board will vote for the winning design. The winner will receive a free flag and their choice of $75 or a lifetime membership to the historical society, he said.

Village trustees voted nearly undivided last month to approve the project, with the exception of Trustee Bob Ryan. Ryan said if other trustees - most of whom are historical society members - truly felt the project was worthwhile and not just a publicity stunt, they should allow others to take on leadership roles.

Ryan said it would be far less of a conflict of interest for the school district or the American Legion to sponsor the contest.

Olsen said a village flag is something the society is excited about and doesn't think it would be fair for them to give up their idea for another organization to carry out.

"It makes sense for us to do it," Olsen said. "After all, it is a part of history."

Village President Dan Podgorski said the site for the new Village Hall will have three flag poles and he is excited to see a village flag flying next to the American and Illinois state flags. The new Village Hall will be in the former SBC building at 3141 Ridge Road next to Chase Bank.