Casey-Westfield Warrior Faithful,
We need your voice.
House Bill 1237, The Mascot Bill, is currently under consideration in the Illinois Senate. If passed in its current form, it would directly impact approximately 100 school districts across Illinois, including Casey-Westfield CUSD 4-C, by restricting the use of Native American names, mascots, and imagery, regardless of context, meaning, or local history.
The bill’s chief sponsor in the Senate is Senator Suzy Glowiak-Hilton. We are asking you to contact Senator Glowiak-Hilton, who represents the 23rd District, and respectfully urge her not to bring HB 1237 to a vote in the Senate.
Our schools and communities take great care in honoring our heritage, promoting education, and engaging in thoughtful conversation on this subject. Our identity as the Warriors reflects a long-standing tradition rooted in pride, respect, and community spirit. The members of our respective communities, who understand our District’s rich history, are primarily responsible for governing the operations of the school district through the locally elected Board of Education. Therefore, we should have the strongest voice in determining how our school district should be represented. This proposal devalues our school district’s rich history and strips away local control, giving it to someone who may not have ever set foot in our communities, and certainly does not understand what it means to be a Casey-Westfield Warrior.
We believe in respect, fairness, and support for all parties involved. We desire an inclusive path forward that values all voices. We hear the concerns of those pushing this legislation. We need them to hear our collective voice and understand that we are proud of the rich history of our part of the world and that it belongs to us as well.
The Illinois Senate is set to reconvene on April 29th. We could see action on this bill shortly after. Please call or write Senator Glowiak-Hilton today and let her know how HB 1237 would affect our school district and communities.
Senator Suzy Glowiak-Hilton (D), 23rd District
Springfield Office District Office
Stratton Office Building, 401 S. Spring 17W715 E. Butterfield Rd., Suite F
Section C, Office A Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Springfield, IL 62706 (630) 785-3177
(217) 782-8148
Additionally, Senator Chapin Rose, who represents us in the 51st District, sits on the Senate Education Committee. We urge you to reach out to him as well and ask him to make our case and vote NO in committee. Also ask him to make sure he is present for the committee vote if it takes place. We see members substituted off committees sometimes during votes that are controversial for them and replaced with another member of their caucus who will vote YES. Please ask him to not be subbed off – being subbed off is as good as them voting yes on the bill.
Senator Chapin Rose (R), 51st District
Springfield Office District Office
Stratton Office Building, 401 Spring 510 S Staley Rd
Section A, Office A Suite D
Springfield, IL 62706 Champaign, IL 61822
(217) 558-1006 (217) 607-1853
When reaching out, please remember to be respectful and professional—but also passionate. Your voice matters. Together, we can ensure that all school districts are given a fair and meaningful opportunity to honor their own history while fostering learning and respect.
Sincerely,
Mike Shackelford, Superintendent
Casey-Westfield CUSD C-4