Kahoks, Comanches names could be history if new Illinois law targeting schools passes
A state representative has proposed a new law that would require Illinois high schools and junior highs to receive permission from Native American tribes if they want to continue using them as the mascots for their athletic teams.
Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, introduced House Bill 4783 to the Illinois legislature on Feb. 10. If approved, at least 11 metro-east schools — from the Cahokia High School Comanches to Whiteside Junior High’s Warriors — would have to drop their Native American nicknames or seek out formal approval from tribes located within 500 miles.
If the permission is granted, the schools will also be required to offer a curriculum or programs on Native American culture at least twice per year.
West couldn’t be reached for comment since the state legislature is in session at Springfield, but he posted a statement on his website explaining his bill.
“Sports logos and mascots would not be used to caricaturize and misrepresent cultures,” he wrote. “If the legitimate intent of a school is to honor local Native Americans, this measure provides the opportunity to secure approval from a nearby tribe.”
The bill has been sent to both the Illinois Rules Committee and School Curriculum and Policies Committee for review. Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, a former special education teacher, is the proposed law’s co-sponsor.
Metro-east scholastic teams that would be subject to the law include: Cahokia Comanches, Collinsville Kahoks, Carlyle Indians, Mascoutah Indians, Signal Hill (Junior High, Belleville) Warriors, Granite City Warriors, Pontiac (Junior High, Fairview Heights) Indians, Pocahontas (Junior High) Indians, Steeleville Warriors, Wesclin Warriors, and Whiteside (Junior High, Belleville) Warriors.
Southwestern Illinois reacts to the bill
Administrators at Mascoutah High School say they’ll be monitoring the progression of West’s bill, but do not anticipate District 19 abandoning its “Indians” nickname.
“The City of Mascoutah is named for the Mascoutens, a tribe of Native Americans that dwelt in Illinois and Wisconsin,” said Mascoutah Principal Brandon Woodrome. “As a school we take pride in this, and our intent is always to honor and respect the heritage of our city’s namesake. For example, when walking the commons area of our building, one will notice quotes of famous Native Americans proudly displayed.
“We will continue to closely monitor the status of the bill.”
Mark Skertich, superintendent of Collinsville Community Unit School District 10, said he and the board of education are aware of the proposal, but that it’s too early in the process to reconsider the future of the school’s “Kahoks” mascot.
“If and when legislation is enacted, we will explore all options to remain in compliance,” he said in an email. “Our Collinsville High School Kahok mascot is a treasured part of our local community. We will always strive to honor and respect Native American culture and heritage.”
No metro-east lawmakers who responded to BND requests for comment said they would support the bill.
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, said he would vote against the bill. Belleville’s Whiteside Junior High, is in his district.
“Decisions as to what kind of mascot is maintained should be made by local school board,” Hoffman said. “I don’t think the state should be telling schools what their school mascot should be. ... From my standpoint, I think it’ll be difficult to pass.”
Likewise, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, said the issue should be decided by local school boards.
“Our local schools have had mascots like this since the schools’ inception,” Reitz wrote in an email to the BND. “No disrespect is displayed by any of the schools in our area, and I feel that this is something that shouldn’t be decided at the state level. Changes such as this would lead to unnecessary expenses for the community and the school district.”
State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, also said he would oppose the bill. Multiple schools in his district use Native American mascots.
“I have not been contacted by one constituent in my district who is in favor of that bill,” Meier said. “I think these schools selected these mascots because they’re proud of the Native Americans.”
State Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, also said she believes the mascots stem from pride in Native American history.
“The metro-east area is rich in Native American history and ancestry and, in many cases, I believe the school mascots are not intended to degrade that history but to celebrate it,” Greenwood said.
According to the bill, governing bodies like the Illinois High School Association would be tasked with monitoring their members’ compliance with the rules. Schools that fail to comply would be barred from competing in the playoffs.
The IHSA, which regulates sports and other extracurricular activities for 777 Illinois high schools, will be watching with interest, said Matt Troha, IHSA’s assistant executive director. But as of Wednesday, Feb. 19, the association wasn’t unaware of the bill.
“Given that mascots are a local school district decision and there are no IHSA rules related to them, we don’t intend to comment at this time,” Troha said in an email.
Mascots under scrutiny
Freeburg High School has faced similar scrutiny for its Midgets nickname.
In 2015, the Little People of America delivered a petition to the District 77 superintendent urging it to change the name. The group said the name creates an uncomfortable environment for people with dwarfism.
About 500 Freeburg citizens rallied at the school and successfully convinced their board of education to keep the name.
The name was given the team by a newspaper sports writer in the 1930s when he noted that the Freeburg basketball team was successful on the court despite not having much height in the lineup.
In 2007, facing sanctions from the NCAA, the University of Illinois dropped the use of mascot Chief Illiniwek, who did a native dance in native dress during halftime of football and basketball games.
Reporter Kelsey Landis and Senior Editor Todd Eschman contributed information for this story.
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
