Blue Room: West to Join Mascots Matter in Effort to Change Harmful School Mascot Names

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, will join advocacy group Mascots Matter this Wednesday, March 5 at 1 p.m. for a Capitol Blue Room press conference to discuss their initiative to prohibit public schools from using discriminatory disability mascots.

“We need to ensure all schools across Illinois show empathy and compassion in addressing the problematic names of certain mascots,” said State Rep. Maurice 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.”

“This week, the Mascots Matter campaign is proud to join Representative Maurice West at the Illinois State Capitol to discuss House Bill 3527, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that seeks to eliminate harmful and outdated mascots from Illinois schools, including those that perpetuate harmful stereotypes toward individuals with disabilities defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Shelby Holloway, Co-Director of the Mascots Matter Campaign. “This bill is a critical step toward ensuring that 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.”

West’s House Bill 3527 creates the Prohibition of Discriminatory Disability Mascots Act and would require relevant public schools to phase out their problematic name, logo, mascot and other relevant material. “Discriminatory disability mascot” is defined in the legislation as 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.

If passed and implemented, impacted schools would need to have adopted a new mascot identity by September 1, 2028.

For more information, please contact Press@StateRepWest.com or call 815-987-7433.

Who: State Rep. Maurice West, Mascots Matter
What: Blue Room press conference on House Bill 3527/Mascots Matter Advocacy Day
When: Wednesday, March 5, 2025; 1 p.m.
Where: Capitol Blue Room