ROCKFORD, Ill. — A new bill in the Illinois General Assembly would force a number of Stateline schools to find a new mascot.

The measure was first introduced by State Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) in February. However, inspiration arrives years prior.

In 2019, students at Hononegah High School started a petition to change their mascot from the "Indians." A dueling petition began thereafter to keep the school’s "tradition" – especially for those used to "Princess Hononegah" performing in Native dress at sporting halftimes. 

Rep. West began his government career in 2019 with an eye on Hononegah. Since then, the local lawmaker sponsored a bill requiring Native American history to be taught in public schools. 

And in February, Rep. West introduced HB5617 – banning Native American logos, mascots and names in Illinois K-12 schools. The act specifically targets schools using "any person, animal or object" with aspects of indigenous culture and tribes.

Public schools would have until September 1, 2027 for any changes.

"I empathize as a black man when laws in the past have been worked on without the conversations of those who it will directly impact," says Rep. West. Beginning in 2019, the lawmaker collaborated with tribes to put forward Native-centered policies.

"I did not desire to push back on what they wanted to do. I just knew I have to do the work," adds the Rockford representative. 

Still, the bill remains in its initial phases. Before any legislative advancements, Rep. West aspires for statewide support – that includes Republican backing.

The Stateline is no stranger to Native mascots or logos: those like Pecatonica, Winnebago and Hononegah display the iconography. But the Democrat doesn’t represent the districts those schools reside in. Those communities preside in "Republican districts."

As such, Rep. West says time will help progress the bill. Patience and communication across the aisle and with statewide principals help clarify the measure’s impact.

Nevertheless, one area the lawmaker hopes to clarify is the "Native name" ban. Since schools like Winnebago and Pecatonica bear their town’s names, Rep. West sheds light on the bill’s scope.

"I’ve been working on an amendment to clarify that we are not trying to change the name of Winnebago or Waukegan, for example," says the Rockford lawmaker. "We’re not trying to change those names. Those are the names of towns. We are just focused on the imagery and the mascots themselves."

Continued conversations will push into the summer for the representative. But if passed, Rep. West anticipates correcting an "injustice" weighing on the indigenous community.

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