by CBS4 Newsroom
newsroom@cbs4qc.com
(AP) It's been six years since Chief Illiniwek last danced at the University of Illinois. But a student group has put an item on a campus election ballot trying to garner student support for making the American Indian mascot the official symbol of the campus.
This week's vote is non-binding and comes in response to a student-backed contest to suggest a new mascot.
Student Josh Good helped get the Chief Illiniwek item on the ballot. He says he wants to let students voice support for the chief mascot. But he also hopes to block creation of a new mascot.
Chancellor Phyllis Wise says she'll watch the results. But she says the chief mascot isn't coming back.
The university shelved the mascot under threat of NCAA sanctions.
