The Illinois Native American Bar Association filed suit on Tuesday against the University of Illinois board of trustees, arguing that the school's Chief Illiniwek mascot violates the state's civil rights act.

The Native lawyers say they have tried to work with the trustees to retire the chief. They say the mascot is offensive.

The board of trustees has been debating for years whether to get rid of the mascot, who dresses up in "Indian" garb and "dances" at certain events.

Get the Story:
Group sues university over Indian mascot (AP 3/16)
Native American lawyers sue U. of I. over mascot (The Chicago Sun-Times 3/16)

Relevant Links:
Chief Illiniwek, University of Illinois - http://www.uiuc.edu/dialogue/index.html
Retire the Chief - http://www.retirethechief.org

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