The New Year will bring with it hundreds of new laws, including many you'll probably never hear about.  But one new law in Illinois will appeal to patriots.

The American flag is the most recognizable symbol of our country and you might assume they're all made in the USA.  But one Quad City lawmaker's discovery not only shocked him, it made him take action.

State Representative Mike Boland says, "Caskets coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan had American flags on them, but they were made in China."  Those Chinese-made flags draping the caskets of fallen American soldiers were enough to spur Boland into action. "To think that our soldiers were coming back and they don't even have an American flag made in America - it's just outrageous."

As a state representative, Boland can only change laws in Illinois.  But the foreign-made flags gave him an idea. "There's so many things that aren't made in America anymore, but you ought to at least have the American flags that are used by the American government or state government to be American made. It's a matter of patriotism."

Other state lawmakers agreed, and as of Friday any American flag flying at a public building or in a public office in Illinois has to be made in the USA.

Patricia Jahn is glad to hear about the new law. "Why should we get our American flags somewhere else?" Her Rock Island Company, Regalia, stopped making American flags in the 50's, but she still sells them and buys only from American manufacturers.

Jahn says the demand for American flags after 9/11 overwhelmed the handful of U.S. manufacturers, opening up the market overseas. "That was a chance for the Chinese people to step in and start making our flag; however, they got the color wrong. The red is more of a Chinese red that they are used to, as opposed to Old Glory red."

She says foreign-made flags are usually cheaper, and it shows. "The well-made ones are embroidered stars and sewn stripes, not printed, but you get what you pay for."

So in a few days, state government could be spending more money on flags.  It's money Boland says will be well-spent. "It's an important symbol that your flags at least are made in your own country."

Boland says flags at public buildings will be replaced by American-made flags as they wear out. He's also talking about starting a petition drive to ensure that flags draping soliders' caskets are American-made, as well.

State House members voted unanimously for the bill.