Rockford Democrat Rep. Maurice West Wants Tribe Approval on Native American Mascots

What started as a student driven petition at Hononegah High School, apparently caught the interest of one local state rep.

The Illinois House of Representatives were presented with a new bill, from Rockford Democrat Rep. Maurice West.

"Sports logos and mascots would not be used to caricaturize and misrepresent cultures, 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." - Rockford Democrat Rep. Maurice West

House Bill 4783 would require schools to receive permission from a nearby Native American Tribe, to use the mascot/logo. There are additional rules to this bill that can be found here WREX.

Failing to meet these rules would eliminate the school from competing in the playoffs.