For years, the student-led King's Guard movement has been working to get the Kingfisher named as Illinois' new mascot. The university's 2007 "retirement" of their appropriative previous mascot came only after decades of public and institutional pressure. Administration continues to not choose a replacement. 

The Native American Rights Fund explains: 

"The University retired its former mascot, Chief Illiniwek, in 2007 under pressure from the National Collegiate Athletics Association. However, harmful images associated with the former mascot continue to persist on campus to this day. The use of Native mascots and imagery negatively affects the psychological well-being and educational experiences of both Native American and non-native youth. These mascots perpetuate stereotypes, create a hostile learning environment, and undermine the self-esteem of Native American youth.

In short, schools with Native American mascots and imagery miseducate their students and encourage their students and faculty to remain uninformed about the realities of Native Americans, and more generally about the shared history between Native and non-Native Americans."

At Summer of Solidarity panels, undergraduate Kingfisher organizers let us know that UIUC's Chancellor has unique and immense power over this decision. They asked locals to please contact the Chancellor to ask what the university plans to do to fill the mascot void. (While doing so, feel free to also let them know that you want to see the Kingfisher named as Illinois' new mascot!) 

The university has a new incoming Chancellor this year, Dr. Charles Lee Isbell, Jr. Chancellor Isbell and his office need to hear from locals who want Illinois to choose a new mascot that the university community can come together around.

Please write to express your support today: chancellor@illinois.edu

Here's a template you can use: 

Hello, Chancellor Isbell.

Welcome to Champaign-Urbana. I am a local who lives in <town>. <If you are an alum, parent of a student, Illinois sports fan, and/or otherwise associated with Illinois, also make this known here.> 

As you know, the University of Illinois impacts life well beyond campus borders. I would like to know your plan to provide Illinois with a unifying mascot that helps us celebrate our university without denigrating members of our community.  

Illinois has lacked a mascot for over 15 years. I look to you to fill this void as soon as possible, and to work with the student-led Kingfisher movement in doing so. As these students have shown us, the Kingfisher embodies the values and spirit of the University of Illinois. It is an ideal mascot for our university.  

It is past time to name a new mascot for Illinois. Please help this happen.

Thank you for your leadership and, again, welcome to C-U.

Sincerely,

<Your Name>

UPDATE: In August, SOS was informed that, following months of silence, Illinois' Chancellor contacted Kingfisher organizers asking them for feedback. "I think the Solidarity email push actually made some waves!" wrote Kingfisher movement founder Spencer Wilkin. Wonderful! Nice work, everyone! Keep it up! 

According to the student-led Kingfisher mascot movement:

"The University of Illinois deserves a mascot as fierce and vibrant as our students, alumni, and community members.

As a year-round resident of Champaign parks, ponds, and rivers, the Belted Kingfisher would serve as a unique mascot future generations of Illinois alumni can proudly call their own."

"There’s nothing more ILLINOIS than a Belted Kingfisher.

Innovation: Kingfishers are the birds of innovation; when engineers needed to design the bullet train, they used a kingfisher’s beak as inspiration for streamlined efficiency.

Community: Kingfishers are perfect symbols for community, as they have True to the Orange & Blue cousins in all corners of the globe. Everyone is welcome!

Momentum: You want to see momentum? Kingfishers can fly up to 45 mph (72 km/h), spear their prey before bashing it against rocks and swallowing it whole.

A Native Bird: The Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is the only kingfisher (out of nearly 100 species worldwide) that is native to the Midwest. In fact, they can be spotted year-round fishing right here in Champaign County’s lakes and rivers!

A Powerhouse: Belted Kingfishers are fast and brutal, diving at speeds of up to 45 mph to slam their prey into rocks before swallowing them whole.

Belted Kingfishers exhibit amazing strength; they can dig nests into cliffsides up to 8 feet deep!

Belted Kingfishers aren’t just your average songbird; with a wingspan of 19″-22″, they take to the skies in energetic flight!

Belted Kingfishers will fiercely defend their territory from other animals and rival birds. What better representation can there be of our Illinois athletes?"

Indivisible writes: "Over the last six months, we’ve witnessed an alarming rise in disappearances, surveillance, and secretive operations targeting immigrants, international students, researchers, leaders of organizations, protestors, and even elected officials—often under the guise of federal law enforcement. Across the country, individuals have reportedly been abducted by masked, unidentified officers, taken without notice, and detained without immediate access to lawyers or families. In many cases, those targeted have not been accused of a crime, only of participating in protests, speaking out about U.S. foreign policy, or simply being present at immigrant-heavy protests and institutions like universities. In other cases, they are alleged to have obstructed or assaulted law enforcement, even when video evidence contradicts those claims.

This is part of a deliberate and escalating federal strategy under the Trump Administration to supercharge his anti-immigrant agenda by using fear, surveillance, and unchecked enforcement to target immigrant communities, dismantle protections, and send a message that no one, not even lawful residents or visa holders, is safe. This crackdown is especially aggressive in Democratic states and sanctuary cities that have chosen to welcome and protect immigrants, directly challenging local values and governance. ...

"If you live in a Democratic trifecta state [like IL or CA] or a city with Democratic leadership, you have a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to pressure your elected officials to act now. Following the example of leaders working to hold law enforcement accountable for such actions, you can help turn up the pressure on your governor, legislature, and city council to take concrete steps to stop Trump’s authoritarian immigration crackdown."

"EJP is a vibrant community of incarcerated students, educators, formerly incarcerated individuals, and others who are committed to a more just and humane world. We believe that providing quality post-secondary education within prisons is an important step towards that vision." 

Click here for more information.

Get involved!

On July 7, the Urbana Free Library welcomes its new director, Taliah Abdullah.  She grew up here in Champaign but has worked in libraries in San Francisco, Colorado and most recently Flint, Michigan.  

Staff had a chance to meet her and they are very optimistic about what she brings to Urbana Free.  Urbana Free staff's newly-formed AFSCME Library Union is working hard to negotiate its first contract with the library. They want to be sure that Ms. Abdullah knows there is community support for the staff and for a fair contract that honors their excellent work.

Please send a quick email to the Urbana Free Library Board to:

1. Welcome Taliah Abdullah to our community!

2. Express your support for library staff and for a fair contract for employees!

Emails of support from our community have a very strong impact - The Board really listens to them.  

Sample email:

Dear Urbana Free Library Board,

As a local resident, I wish to extend a very warm welcome to our new UFL Director, Ms. Talia Abdullah! Welcome back to Urbana! 

Please know that we look to you to ensure that our skilled, highly professional Urbana Free Library staff receive the best contact possible this year. They are a gift to our community. 

<Add personal story here about your experience with UFL staff>

Again, welcome!
Sincerely,

<Name>

<Address>

Urbana Free Library Board emails:  dariuswhite@urbanafree.org, lizsands@urbanafree.org, juliapollack@urbanafree.org, debnewell@urbanafree.org, shiresehursey@urbanafree.org, brandynmason@urbanafree.org, glenlworthey@urbanafree.org, ericabellina@urbanafree.org, bethscheid@urbanafree.org, danielurban@urbanafree.org