HB 1237 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

SCH CD-PROHIBIT NATIVE AM NAME

Summary

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board shall prohibit a school from using a native name, logo, or mascot; defines "native name, logo, or mascot". However, provides that a school may continue to use uniforms or other materials bearing a native name, logo, or mascot that were purchased on or before the effective date of the amendatory Act until September 1, 2028 if specified requirements are met.

Issues: ✗ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 10, 2025 Last action Jul 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 10, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the definition of prohibited Native American imagery to include specific terms like 'Redskins' and 'Braves' and to add a new exception allowing schools to keep certain names if they have written consent from the relevant tribe. The deadline for schools to replace old uniforms and materials was extended from September 1, 2028, to September 1, 2030, and the requirement to select a new name was moved up to July 1, 2026. A new provision allows federally recognized tribes to revoke their consent at any time, requiring schools to switch names within one year if consent is withdrawn.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly lists specific prohibited terms and adds a pathway for schools to retain names based on tribal partnership agreements.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'native name, logo, or mascot' was expanded to explicitly list 'Redskins, Braves, Chiefs, Chieftains, Tribe, Indians' as prohibited team names and added specific imagery like feathered headdresses and tomahawks.

TIMELINE

The deadline for schools to stop purchasing old uniforms and materials was extended from September 1, 2028, to September 1, 2030, while the deadline to select a new name was accelerated to July 1, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

A new exception was created allowing schools to continue using a name if they obtain written consent from the federally recognized tribe or historical Native American person associated with the name.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that tribal consent must describe a meaningful partnership, prohibit stereotypes, and be renewed every five years, with the tribe retaining the right to revoke consent at any time.

ENFORCEMENT

The bill now explicitly states that tribes have the right to terminate consent at their discretion, triggering a mandatory timeline for the school to change its name and discontinue use of the old imagery.

Floor votes · House Apr 10, 2025

How they voted

71–40

Passed · 7 other

Total votes 118

Apr 10, 2025

D Democratic78

71 Yea 2 Nay 5

91% Yea

R Republican40

38 Nay 2

95% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to Assignments

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Introduced

Arrive in Senate

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Introduced

Motion Filed to Reconsider Vote Rep. Ann M. Williams

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Amended

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Tabled

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 071-040-000

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Introduced

Note / Motion Filed - Note Act Does Not Apply Rep. Maurice A. West, II

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 4 Adopted

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 4 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 4 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

House Floor Amendment No. 4 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

House Floor Amendment No. 4 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Amended

House Committee Amendment No. 2 Tabled

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Education Policy Committee; by Voice Vote

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Committee

House Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Introduced

House Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Introduced

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Assigned to Education Policy Committee

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules Committee

lower

2 primary · 34 co-sponsors