HB3527 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 11255 LNS 21338 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB3527

Introduced 2/18/2025, by Rep. Maurice A. West, II, Laura Faver Dias and Diane Blair-Sherlock

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Prohibition of Discriminatory Disability Mascots Act. Restricts a public educational institution from the adoption or continued use of discriminatory disability mascots. Allows a public educational institution to continue to use uniforms or other materials bearing a prohibited name, logo, or mascot that were purchased on or before the effective date of the Act until September 1, 2028 if certain requirements.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Prohibition of Discriminatory Disability Mascots Act.

Section 5. Purpose. To ensure that all public educational institutions provide a respectful and inclusive environment, free from the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes or discrimination based on disability.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Discriminatory disability mascot" means any name, logo, or mascot that is derogatory or representative of an individual or group based on disability, as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

"Public educational institutions" means any kindergarten through grade 12 school, public university, or community college receiving public funding within the State.

Section 15. Discriminatory disability mascots prohibited.

(a) A public educational institution shall prohibit the adoption or continued use of discriminatory disability mascots.

(b) A public educational institution may continue to use uniforms or other materials bearing a prohibited name, logo, or mascot that were purchased on or before the effective date of this Act until September 1, 2028 if all the following requirements are met:

(1) The public educational institution selects a new school or athletic team name, logo, or mascot that does not violate the prohibition under subsection (a).

(2) The public educational institution refrains from purchasing, acquiring, or using resources for the purpose of distribution or sale to pupils or school employees any uniform that includes or bears the prohibited school or athletic team name, logo, or mascot.

(3) The public educational institution refrains from purchasing, acquiring, or using resources for the purpose of distribution or sale to pupils or school employees any yearbook, newspaper, program, or other tangible material that includes or bears the prohibited school or athletic team name, logo, or mascot in the logo or title of the yearbook, newspaper, program, or other tangible material.

(4) If a public educational institution facility bears the prohibited school or athletic team name, logo, or mascot, the school removes the prohibited name, logo, or mascot no later than the next time that part of the facility where the name, logo, or mascot is located is remodeled or replaced in the normal course of maintenance and the public educational institution refrains from purchasing or constructing a marquee, sign, or other new or replacement fixture that includes or bears the prohibited school or athletic team name, logo, or mascot.