Source: Chicago Sun-Times

On March 10, 2001, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that, at a recent basketball game, "40 American Indians chanted and pounded a drum on the sidewalk [outside] to protest the University of Illinois' decision to retain Chief Illiniwek...Demonstrators from several local American Indian groups said the dancing Indian who performs at halftime during football games is historically inaccurate as well as demeaning and insulting." Many people disagree that the use of the Chief is racist.