April 10, 2025
Dear Woodland Students, Parents, Alumni, and Community Members,
Subject: Urgent Action Needed - Opposition to Illinois House Bill 1237 Prohibiting Native American Mascots
Good evening. This afternoon the Illinois House PASSED House Bill 1237: Amending the School Code to prohibit a school from using a native name, logo, or mascot; defines "native name, logo, or mascot". Meaning that the state of Illinois is an Illinois Senate vote away from having a law where “Woodland Warriors” as we have known it since the 1950s will NO LONGER EXIST. As you may be aware, this bill would have significant implications for our schools and the community that identifies itself as “Woodland Warriors” for past, present, and future generations.
What can you do?
Answer: I am asking you to call your local Illinois Senator(s) and express your opposition to Illinois House Bill 1237. Your voice and advocacy are critical in this matter, and it is important that our elected representatives hear from us, their constituents, about the potential impact of this legislation.
Your State Senators:
Chris Balkema (Offices in Pontiac and El Paso (Call: 815-844-9179), or Dwight (815-432-0106)
Email: [email protected]
Sue Rezin (Offices in Morris, Peru, and Dekalb (Call: 815-220-8720) (Text: 815-454-3670)
Email: [email protected]
How Did Your Local House of Representatives Vote Today:
Dennis Tipsword (Offices in Pontiac) – NO
Jason Bunting (Offices in Watseka and Dwight) – NO
Amy Briel (Offices in Ottawa) – YES TO BAN
Jed Davis (Officers in Yorkville) - NO
Your support in this matter is deeply appreciated, and I urge you to act as soon as possible. Your efforts can make a significant difference in influencing the outcome of this bill.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance in contacting your local senator.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ryan McGuckin
Superintendent
Woodland CUSD #5
(Below Example of What Could Be Stated on Phone or Email)
Hello State Senator ____________________, My name is ________________________ I live in ____________________(Insert Town), Illinois an area in which you represent. I am contacting you today regarding House Bill 1237, the bill that would eliminate the use of the Woodland Warrior mascot. I am asking you to please vote NO on the proposition when it comes up and to have a helping hand in the Illinois Senate voting it “down” to not become a law. (Insert any comments directly related to you, your family, and Woodland. Some examples that could be used are below). I appreciate your time and effort on this process and project to eliminate House Bill 1237 from consideration.
In Woodland Warriors Pride,
(Insert your name, family name, etc)
Further comments that could be added:
Being that Woodland does not have a true town associated with its school, the Warrior name and logo is what brings people together and connects them. We have a saying “once a Warrior, always a Warrior” and this holds true since the 1950s when the school was put together bringing several small town’s school into one that sits in the country south of the town of Streator.
Being a Woodland alum, I hold true that Woodland is a special place filled with special people. It is unlike many places because it allows for our young students to be guided and led by our older students due to Prek through 12 being under one roof. There is a sense of pride by not only me as an alum but also present students of being a Warrior. Taking that “Warrior” name and image away is what it means to be from Woodland for past, present, and future generations.
I understand that there is a waiting period between eliminating the school logo and when it takes effect (2028/2030 based on the version of the bill accepted) of having to be eliminated from walls, floors, uniforms, and the like. Please understand that although it is several years away the cost to eliminate the “Warrior” logo would be tens of thousands of dollars, more than likely easily pushing into the 100 thousands. We as a small school are not extremely wealthy as we stay within our means to provide for a quality education to allow our students to strive in present and future endeavors. Pushing money towards changing a logo and a name takes away money that could be used for a student’s education. There will need to be the elimination of programs, supplies, and likely personnel to accommodate these costs to maintain expense levels at the level of revenue levels plain and simple. In my mind this decision hits all students because of the loss of funds that could be used for a child’s education.