CHAMPAIGN — A planned appearance by a vestige of Chief Illiniwek in Friday's University of Illinois homecoming parade has prompted some faculty members and students to raise objections with Chancellor Robert Jones.
The Honor the Chief Society plans to have an individual dressed in Native American regalia ride in the parade as part of its homecoming entry, as it has for years.
Chief Illiniwek was retired in 2007, but the society has continued to press for some remembrance of the UI tradition and has named unofficial Chief portrayers, who sometimes attend UI football and basketball games and make appearances at area high schools.