HJ0071 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0071 LRB103 40461 MST 72830 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Research has shown that the continued use of Native American names, logos, and mascots in schools has a negative effect not only on Native American students but also on all students by undermining the educational experiences of members of all communities, especially those who have had little to no contact with indigenous peoples; and

WHEREAS, Research also shows that the use of Native American names, logos, and mascots used in schools establishes an unwelcome and often hostile learning environment for Native American students and affirms negative images and stereotypes that are promoted in mainstream society; and

WHEREAS, The use of Native American names, logos, and mascots can be defined as using any person, animal, or object to represent a school that names, refers to, represents, or is associated with Native Americans, including Native American cultures and specific Native American tribes, but not including names associated with the name of a local county, municipality, or school district; and

WHEREAS, The American Psychological Association recommends the retirement of Native American mascots, a recommendation first made in 2005; and

WHEREAS, A particular team name, Redskins, used by schools in Illinois is defined in dictionaries as offensive, a racial slur used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a Native American; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois wants all children to have a safe, healthy, and equitable learning experience in our public education system, including Native American children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the State Board of Education to conduct a study on the number of schools, school districts, and other public school associations across the State that currently utilize Native American names, logos, and mascots; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the State Board of Education, through conversations with local schools and school districts, to collect findings on what the cost would be for these individual schools and districts to remove and change Native American names, mascots, and logos; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the State Board of Education to include its findings in a written report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge schools, school districts, and other public school associations to consider and plan for changing these harmful Native American names, mascots, and logos; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the State Board of Education to use all tools available to work towards the immediate end of the practice of using racial slurs as team names in Illinois schools.