Illinois Takes Another Step Towards Banning This High School’s Mascot

Mascot controversy is hardly anything new.

Over the last 20 or so years, we've seen colleges, high schools (including mine), and professional teams either change or completely drop their mascots. The argument is that it's inherently offensive in some way, most often cultural appropriation.

Now, the Illinois House has passed a bill that would ban public schools from using mascots that discriminate against people with disabilities. And that affects one high school in St. Clair County: Freeburg Community High School, home of the Midgets.

House Bill 3527 says that the school could continue using uniforms and stuff they had bought until September 1, 2028. By then, they better have a new mascot. But as Belleville News-Democrat reports, there aren't any specific repercussions listed if the school doesn't change their mascot.

The History Of It

Freeburg's school website says that their mascot became the Midgets in the 1930's, when a reporter used it in reference to the team one year, when the tallest member of the men's basketball team being 5'10".

It says that the mascot is still used as "an affectionate and respectful label".

The Arguments

Rep. Maurice West (D, Rockford) is the bill's main sponsor and he argues that the mascot was chosen during a time that freak shows were popular. Over 1,000 witness slips (including Freeburg alumni and community members) were filed both for and against the bill.

Meanwhile, opponents who believe the mascot shouldn't change argue that the school's mascot is a tradition and there are not any students with dwarfism in the school that might be affected by it. State legislators who oppose the bill say that it's not the state's place to get involved with this, it should be voted on by the local school board.