More southern Illinois schools continue to push back against a bill in Springfield that would prohibit schools from using a native name, logo, or mascot.
Anna District 37, whose mascot is the Indians, released a letter it sent to lawmakers, opposing House Bill 1237. The letter said the bill threatens local traditions and burdens schools.
School board president Joshua Gooden said the Anna Indians name is deeply rooted in a community that is located near the Shawnee National Forest and just off the Trail of Tears. He said the town is surrounded by landscapes and history tied to Native American Heritage.
The letter adds Anna District 37 doesn't believe the state legislature has the authority to force schools to make his change and the use of the mascot is protected by the First Amendment in the 1969 case of Tinker vs. Des Moines.
Shawnee District 84, also in Union County, with the mascot Redskins, has also publicly opposed the bill.
The Midgets mascot at Freeburg High School has been in the center of the debate about the measure.
The House sponsor tabled HB 1237 on April 10. It arrived in the Senate a few days later.
