Nonbinding vote planned on Chief Illiniwek

URBANA — It’s been six years since Chief Illiniwek last danced at the University of Illinois. But a student group has put an item on a campus election ballot trying to garner student support for making the American Indian mascot the official symbol of the campus.

This week’s vote is nonbinding and comes in response to a student-backed contest to suggest a new mascot.

Student Josh Good helped get the Chief Illiniwek item on the ballot. He told The News-Gazette he wants to let students voice support for the chief mascot. But he also hopes to block creation of a new mascot. Chancellor Phyllis Wise says she’ll watch the results. But she says the chief mascot isn’t coming back. The university shelved the mascot under threat of NCAA sanctions.