Bill to ban Native American mascots could impact 7 schools in northern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Seven schools in northern Illinois could be required to change their name, logo, or mascot if a recently passed Illinois bill banning Native American-themed imagery is signed into law.

On Thursday, the Illinois House passed a bill that would ban schools from using Native American names, mascots, or logos.

House Bill 1237, introduced by Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) passed with a vote of 71-40 and now heads to the Senate.

If the bill becomes law, schools that currently have Native American mascots can continue to use them through 2030, providing they select a new school or athletic team name, logo, or mascot; do not purchase materials using the old mascot; and replace the mascot the next time the facility is remodeled.

Schools with team names of Native American tribes or persons can continue to use that name if consent is obtained from that tribe.

The following schools in northern Illinois could be impacted by the bill’s passage:

• Hononegah High School, in Rockton, is named after the Native American woman who was married to Rockton’s first settler, Stephen Mack. The school’s mascot is the Indians.
• Marengo High School, in Marengo, whose mascot is the Indians.
• Stockton High School, in Stockton, whose mascot is the Blackhawks, named after Sauk leader Black Hawk.
• Winnebago High School, in Winnebago, whose mascot is the Indians. The school and county are named after the Winnebago or Ho-Chunk tribe.
• Pecatonica High School, in Pecatonica, whose mascot is the Indians. The village of Pecatonica takes its name from the Algonquin words for “slow water.”
• Dakota Junior/Senior High School, in Dakota, whose mascot is the Indians. The village is named after the group of Sioux tribes known as the Dakota.
• Blackhawk Elementary School, in Freeport, named after Black Hawk. The school uses “Indians” for school activities.

On Tuesday, the House passed West’s bill to prohibit schools from using a name, logo, or mascot that is derogatory of a disabled individual or group, after a complaint was filed accusing the Freeburg High School mascot, the “Midgets,” of offending people with dwarfism.

Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) called the bill’s passage “political theater,” saying, “This bill doesn’t carry a penalty if a school ignores it. That tells you right there that it’s more about political spin than actual change. If we’re going to talk about this issue seriously, then let’s have a conversation based in reality—not political performance.”

“There are ways to make respectful changes that don’t break the bank. But this bill isn’t about solutions—it’s about woke politics,” said Cabello.