Springfield, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois K-12 schools that use Native American names, mascots, or imagery — like the Mt. Zion Braves or Cahokia Comanches — could soon be required to make a change under a bill passed Thursday by the Illinois House of Representatives.
House Bill 1237 passed with a vote of 71-40 and targets team names, logos, and mascots such as “Redskins, Braves, Chiefs, Chieftains, Tribe, Indians,” and related imagery like feathered headdresses or traditional weapons. If signed into law, schools would need to select new mascots by July 1, 2026, though they could delay updating uniforms and signage until September 1, 2030.
An exception exists for schools that can prove a direct connection with a federally recognized tribe, which must approve the mascot’s continued use and renew that approval every five years.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford), follows years of advocacy from Native American leaders who argue that such mascots perpetuate harmful stereotypes. “This is about the welfare and benefit of our students,” said Andrew Johnson, executive director of the Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois. “It’s not about tradition or political correctness.”
The measure builds on a 2023 law that requires Native American history to be taught in Illinois schools. Supporters say the new mascot ban will reinforce accurate education and reduce conflicting messages in classrooms.
Opponents, largely Republicans, voiced concerns about erasing history or honoring Native heritage in the wrong way. But Native advocates, like Aaron Golding of the Seneca Nation, say their voices have been sidelined for too long. “Without understanding our contemporary experiences, it’s easy to dismiss us as ghosts of the past,” Golding said.
The bill now heads to the Illinois Senate for consideration.