Illinois General Assembly

The bill that would force Freeburg to ditch its mascot is scheduled to be called in two House Education Policy Committee hearings this week.

At least nine other states have adopted statewide policies limiting or banning the use of cell phones in schools. Elsewhere, even in the absence of a statewide policy, individual districts have begun acting on their own.

The Midgets mascot originated roughly 90 years ago. If passed by Illinois lawmakers, the bill would require the Metro East high school to change by September 2028.

While the next closest option received less than 9% of the vote — nearly 57% of votes were cast for a different option. That may signal that the state does indeed want change, according to flag experts.

Advocates have said Freeburg's mascot, the "Midgets” to be derogatory, objectifying and dehumanizing. A bill proposed in the Illinois General Assembly would ban public schools from using derogatory names for people with disabilities as mascots.

Voting to decide Illinois’ next flag is underway until Feb. 14. From there, the results will be turned over to state lawmakers, who have the final say.

Flag voting began Friday and will remain open until Feb. 14, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said.

Bill allows tribe to acquire 1,500-acre state park in DeKalb County.

“You have to get the foundation laid and then go from there,” said Lynn Cope, whose 29-year-old son, Clayton, was killed by an Edwardsville tornado in December 2021.

The public will vote on the finalists or a former flag beginning in January. From there, the results will be given to the Illinois General Assembly.