The kingfisher proposal passed by a margin of 625 votes out of about 7,800 cast. While the 2020 vote was only advisory, the potential new mascot can be seen on campus today, according to supporters.

Still no official decision on U. of I. mascot, but the belted kingfisher is waiting in the wings Olivia Alexander, Chicago Tribune April 14, 2023 at 7:55 PM UTC · ...

In 2007, the university retired Chief Illiniwek, a fictional American Indian figure, after the NCAA deemed it “hostile and abusive.” Since then, there has been no school-sanctioned replacement ...