A Blue shield-shaped embroidered device, 3 1/4 inches (8.26 cm) in height by 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in width overall, including a 5/32 inch (.40 cm) Orange border, blazoned: "On a shield Azure, the Roman letter "I" Tenn, all within a diminished bordure of the like." Attached above the shield, a Blue tab inscribed "ILLINOIS" in Orange block letters.
Orange and blue are the school colors of the University of Illinois. The "Block I" is famous as the identifying logotype of the university.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized 22 May 1952. It was amended to add subdued colors and metric measurements and update the description and symbolism on 9 July 1992, this design was cancelled, the current design was authorized on 13 February 2003. (TIOH Drawing Number A- 10S-92)