Latest news with #HouseBill3527
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois House takes another step toward banning Freeburg mascot
The House passed a bill Tuesday that would ban public schools from using mascots that discriminate against people with disabilities. The bill, if signed into law, currently would affect just one high school in St. Clair County. Freeburg Community High School's mascot, the 'Midgets,' is considered a slur used against people with dwarfism. The school's administration did not reply to a request for comment. Under House Bill 3527, the school could continue using 'uniforms or other materials' it bought before the bill was passed until Sept. 1, 2028, as long as it already picked a new mascot, according to the bill's language. The bill doesn't clarify what repercussions, if any, the school would face if it didn't change its mascot. The bill passed through the House on Tuesday with a vote of 71-38. The Freeburg mascot was chosen during the 1930s when a reporter coined the term because the tallest member of the basketball team was just 5 feet, 10 inches tall, according to the school's website. The bill's main sponsor, Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, said the name was chosen during a time when freak shows, the exhibitions of human 'abnormalities,' were popular. School alumni, members of the Freeburg community, along with activists and organizations, filed more than 1,000 'witness slips' to the General Assembly for and against the bill. Opponents said the school's mascot is a tradition, and there aren't any students with dwarfism in the school who might be affected by the mascot. However, Shelby Holloway, a woman with dwarfism and a national advocate and co-director of Mascots Matter, said students at Freeburg aren't the only ones affected by its mascot. 'This is a statewide issue, and it deserves a statewide solution,' said Holloway during a March 20 committee meeting. 'The Freeburg mascot does not just affect the students who attend that school. Every time a Freeburg sports team travels, its mascot's name is displayed in the schools across Illinois.' Rep. Kevin Schmidt, R-Millstadt, represents Freeburg and argued against the bill Tuesday on the House floor. 'This is a local issue. The local school board should be voting on it, not the state overreaching and saying, 'You're wrong,'' Schmidt said. 'You don't understand the community, you don't understand the history. It's our culture.' Schmidt and other opponents said the school board should be in charge of changing the mascot name, and the General Assembly is infringing on other governing bodies. 'I think this would certainly be obvious that it would be a slam down yes vote for everyone because it is important that we respect people with disabilities,' said Rep. Amy Elik, R-Godfrey, during the committee meeting. 'But the fact that it is geared towards one community in Illinois from advocates outside of Illinois makes this really uncomfortable for all of us, I think.' The bill still has to go through the Senate.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois Representative to discuss changes to ‘harmful' school mascots
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- Illinois State Representative, Maurice West (D- Rockford) will join an advocacy group, Mascots Matter to discuss their initiative to prohibit Illinois public schools from using what they call 'discriminatory disability mascots'. Indiana tourism project to add over 1,800 new jobs to Tri-State West introduced House Bill 3527, which creates the Prohibition of Discriminatory Disability Mascots Act and would require public schools to phase out any problematic name, logo, mascots or other relevant material. In the bill, 'discriminatory disability mascot' is defined as any name, logo or mascot which is derogatory or representative of an individual or group based on disability, as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Representative West says the bill 'is a critical step toward ensuring all individuals are empowered to embrace diversity, respect, and cultural understanding. We believe that this important measure will help foster a more inclusive future for Illinois, one that honors the dignity of every community.' If passed and implemented impacted schools would need to have adopted a new mascot identity by September 1 of 2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois law would force schools to change controversial mascots
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A new bill would require schools in Illinois to change 'the problematic names of certain mascots' if it becomes law. Rockford Rep. Maurice West (D) filed House Bill 3527 in February, which would create the Prohibition of Discriminatory Mascots Act, which would require schools to phase out 'any name, logo or mascot that is derogatory or representative of an individual or group based on disability, as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.' The bill is in response to , filed by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights by the activist group Mascots Matter, which accused Freeburg High School's mascot, the 'Midgets,' of offending people with dwarfism. 'We need to ensure all schools across Illinois show empathy and compassion in addressing the problematic names of certain mascots,' said West. 'Our schools should be a place we teach our children about respect and understanding, and holding on to sport nicknames considered to be a slur is irresponsible.' If passed, the law would require schools to adopt a new mascot by September 1st, 2028. West is also behind House Bill 5617, which would amend the school code to prohibit school use the likeness of any person, animal, or object associated with Native American culture. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
