Editorial from Rockford Register

Editor's note: Chief Illiniwek is the official symbol of the University of Illinois - not a mascot.

Excerpt below:

THE NEW PRESIDENT is keeping his distance from the controversy over Chief Illiniwek, the university's American Indian mascot.

But you can't "brand" over an open wound -- or even a sore spot.

We've said it many times. Retiring the Chief is the only way to put the issue to rest and get on with the important work of a world-class university.

Most of all, White says, he wants the school to be "hard-wired to the real needs of the state" in health care, education, new industries and job creation. It's a great plan, although first he must clear the air of the static associated with the Chief controversy.

"I'm a person with a lot of sense of urgency," White says. Glad to hear it. On many different fronts -- from image to finances to, OK, maybe not the basketball team -- the University of Illinois needs you.

Sniping from Illinois Senate Pres.

Excerpt from an article on gun ownership:

In other action, Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), who has been a vocal advocate for civil rights and racial sensitivity, said he planned to increase pressure on the University of Illinois to eliminate Chief Illiniwek, the longtime school mascot who dances in Native American dress at university sporting events.

But pressed on how he planned to accomplish something other critics of the chief have tried to do for years, Jones resorted to a joke that seemed to reinforce the kind of stereotype he was complaining about.

"I'm going to scalp him," Jones said.

Editor's note: How professional of Mr. Jones to insert the total non-sequitor of Chief Illiniwek into an interview about gun owner's rights.