The 1st District Appellate Court in Illinois ruled 2-1 on Tuesday that dances by Chief Illiniwek, the University of Illinois' controversial mascot, do not violate the state's discrimination law.

The Illinois Native American Bar Association said the mascot's performances humiliate Native students and create a hostile environment. But the court cited a state law that recognized the chief as an "honored symbol."

The NCAA still considers the mascot to be hostile and abusive. The school is said to be dropping the use of the chief in order to continue hosting post-season tournaments.

Get the Story:
Court backs pro-Illiniwek ruling (The Chicago Tribune 9/20)
pwday

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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