Escaped the People’s Republik of Illinois in August 1979 and still have family living under the thumb of the Chicago Machine running Springfield.

Still an avid Illinois sports team supporter (except the boring south siders - The White Sox). Chief Illiniwek predates the use of mascots by most sports teams, adding strength to the claim that the portrayal was never a mascot at all. I still consider the Chief the mascot of U of I, PC be damned!