SPRINGFIELD - Visitors to Illinois' capital city last week might have been wondering if they'd taken a wrong turn somewhere in Iowa.
Flying atop an under-construction state historic building across the street from the busy Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum was a University of Iowa Hawkeyes flag.
The flag flapped in the spring breeze for at least a couple of days before state officials discovered the gaffe and had the flag removed over the weekend.
"When we found out about it, we immediately contacted the contractor and had them take the flag down," said David Blanchette, spokesman for the Illinois Capital Development Board. "Only U.S. and state flags should be flying on top of state buildings, whether under construction or otherwise.
"Had we known of their plan, we could have told them before it happened," said Blanchette, whose agency is overseeing the $12.5 million renovation of the Union Station facility.
The building, formerly used as a train station, eventually will become the visitors' center for the museum, a popular tourist draw since it opened last April.
Blanchette said the flag was placed atop a new flagpole on the building by construction crews. He said several workers for the general contractor, Halverson Construction Co. of Springfield, attended the University of Iowa and apparently thought it would be fun to fly the flag from their alma mater. <!-- END CONTENT -->
Flying atop an under-construction state historic building across the street from the busy Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum was a University of Iowa Hawkeyes flag.
The flag flapped in the spring breeze for at least a couple of days before state officials discovered the gaffe and had the flag removed over the weekend.
"When we found out about it, we immediately contacted the contractor and had them take the flag down," said David Blanchette, spokesman for the Illinois Capital Development Board. "Only U.S. and state flags should be flying on top of state buildings, whether under construction or otherwise.
"Had we known of their plan, we could have told them before it happened," said Blanchette, whose agency is overseeing the $12.5 million renovation of the Union Station facility.
The building, formerly used as a train station, eventually will become the visitors' center for the museum, a popular tourist draw since it opened last April.
Blanchette said the flag was placed atop a new flagpole on the building by construction crews. He said several workers for the general contractor, Halverson Construction Co. of Springfield, attended the University of Iowa and apparently thought it would be fun to fly the flag from their alma mater. <!-- END CONTENT -->
ope:
