The University of Illinois currently does not feature an official live or costumed sideline mascot due to complex historical transitions regarding its athletic branding and representation. For decades, the university was famously represented by Chief Illiniwek, a traditional symbol that was ultimately retired following extensive institutional reviews, national collegiate policy recommendations, and respectful dialogues regarding Native American imagery. Since that retirement, university leadership and student committees have carefully deliberated on adopting a new representative mascot that properly honors the institution's athletic heritage without utilizing anthropomorphic indigenous depictions.