That brings the statewide totals to 275,735 cases and 8,457 deaths. University of Illinois students voted about whether to make the Kingfisher bird their new mascot. J.B. Pritzker issues disaster proclamation, Belted kingfisher advances as University of Illinois’ new mascot, Watch now: Ann Simmons, mother of Rica Rountree, reacts to Cynthia Baker’s life sentence, Watch now: The Midwest battles a viral enemy, Watch now: Here are rules for New York State's orange zones, Watch now: Charleston schools assistant superintendent on COVID changes. A spokeswoman for chancellor Robert Jones told The News-Gazette that the vote results will be shared university officials and the board of trustees, but there are no plans to adopt a mascot at this time. He was last seen at the Brettwood Village Shopping Center. female belted kingfisher What color is it? âIt was a great validation to see that weâre on the right track.â, The photo on the right is a composite image to show how Timothy may look at 31 years old. She was last seen at approximately 1:30 a.m. as she was walking to a restaurant on East Monroe Street. Susan Zhou, speaker of the senate for the Illinois Student Government -- an organization that has endorsed the idea of a new mascot -- helped get the kingfisher on the student ballot. Watch now: Pritzker says no to high school football despite Illinois being a leader in testing, Applicants will get a second chance to qualify for a marijuana retail license in Illinois, Watch now: Ann Simmons, mother of Rica Rountree, reacts to Cynthia Bakerâs life sentence, Watch now: The Midwest battles a viral enemy, Watch now: Here are rules for New York State's orange zones, Watch now: Charleston schools assistant superintendent on COVID changes. WHEREAS, a new mascot idea, the belted kingfisher, is gaining widespread grassroots support and its adoption would resolve many of the issues aforementioned; and, WHEREAS, belted kingfishers are native, predatory birds of Illinois, which have not yet been used as a mascot by any major American business, notable sports team, or university in Faculty members had little to say on the Zoom conference other than to praise the students for advancing the concept. then {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}} per month. Students recently voted on the question.Â. Belted kingfishers dive into the water to avoid hawks eating them. 9321928/1000000 sec. A belted kingfisher sits on a branch in Oak Brook in 2011. You have permission to edit this article. The idea came to Spencer Hulsey in a doodle. This kingfisher can weigh from 113 to 178 g (4.0 to 6.3 oz). An advisory panel in 2018 suggested the school consider adopting an official mascot, but little has happened since then. ally nests and spends the winter in Illinois, although the birds may travel as far as South America in winter. A proposed new mascot for the University of Illinois, the belted kingfisher. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The adult female averages slightly larger than the adult male. âIâm mostly just speaking to thank the students for their continued and enduring leadership on doing something that should have happened 13 years ago, that Iâve been waiting for," said Jodi Byrd, an associate professor of English and gender and womenâs studies who is a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 0. By sandra rust. The Belted Kingfisher would not replace the name âFighting Illini,â but would be a replacement mascot after the NCAA banned Chief Illiniwek in 2005. The kingfisher nests in dirt banks near water and can burrow into the bank as deep as 15 feet. During a physics discussion at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she idly sketched out a belted kingfisher, a blue and orange bird she saw many times while fishing on her family’s farm outside Kinmundy, Illinois. Megaceryle alcyon The Belted Kingfisher is often first noticed by its wild rattling call as it flies over rivers or lakes. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaignâs senate on Monday endorsed the idea of making the belted kingfisher â a blue and orange bird native to ⦠The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaignâs senate on Monday endorsed the idea of making the belted kingfisher -- a blue and orange bird native to the state and known for its high-speed dives -- the schoolâs new mascot. A drawing of the University of Illinois logo featuring the belted kingfisher is shown. Many consider Chief Illiniwek a ⦠Belted Kingfishers are stocky, large-headed birds with a shaggy crest on the top and back of the head and a straight, thick, pointed bill. The new mascot would be the âBelted Kingfisher.â Students voted in favor of the mascot with a 4,222 to 3,597 vote. The students who created and pushed for the kingfisher said the next step will be to try to gain acceptance from alumni and others in the university community. / ISO 500 State/Province/Region. “I think a mascot would allow us to have the same experience at games that other schools get to have,” she said. We can have something to interact with.”. The idea came to Spencer Hulsey in a doodle. Growing up on a farm in Kinmundy, Illinois, Hulsey always loved birds, especially the kingfishers that hung around her pond. His nickname is Josh. The bird is native to the state and is orange and blue, which is the colors of the teamâs athletic programs. Foul play is suspected.Â. Here's what you need to know. The idea originated with senior physics and astronomy student Spencer Hulsey, who recalled seeing the birds near the pond at her childhood home in Kinmundy, Illinois. âI know so many American Indian studies faculty who are no longer here have been fighting to get this addressed. The kingfisher would also be the lone Big Ten mascot to be overtly female: The male of the species is blue and gray, while the female is blue and orange. Her ears are pierced. He may go by the alias name Anton Berkel. Last year, a student referendum that sought to fill that role with the cheekily named Alma Otter lost by 300 votes. Timothy answers to "TJ.". {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, PROVIDED BY SPENCER HUSLEY VIA CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The effort, however, hasn’t made much headway. During a physics discussion at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she idly sketched out a belted kingfisher, a blue and orange bird she saw many times while fishing on her familyâs farm outside Kinmundy, Illinois. Gov. During the senateâs discussion, some students said the Block I logo has been an insufficient representation of the university, and that the lack of a mascot has allowed Chief Illiniwek to persevere. You can cancel at any time. Nearby are other "rocky" landmarks - the mighty Rock River and the place where wagons once forded it, Rockford. Students at the university in Champaign were polled by the student election commission last week on whether they wanted to adopt a blue and orange Belted Kingfisher, a bird commonly found across North America, as their new mascot. Notes: Joshua's photo is shown age-progressed to 39 years. During a physics discussion at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she idly sketched out a belted kingfisher, a blue and After Hulsey fleshed out her doodle and presented it to the Illinois Student Government, the organization decided to put it to a campuswide vote. In Greek mythology, Halcyone was the daughter of Aeolus, the god of the winds. Officials report four new cases of coronavirus in Illinois, bringing total in state to 11; Gov. Chief Illiniwek was portrayed by a student to represent the Illiniwek, the state's namesake, although the regalia worn was from the Sioux. Students recently voted on the question. Could the belted kingfisher, an orange and blue predatory bird, become the University of Illinois’ new mascot? The 105-to-2 vote, though merely advisory, was a step forward in the long-standing effort to create a mascot for the university that would take the place of Chief Illiniwek, retired by the university in 2007 after the NCAA determined the American Indian-themed image to be âhostile and abusiveâ (advocates for the Chief reject the charge of racism and refer to him as a âsymbol,â not a mascot). A proposed new mascot for the University of Illinois, the belted kingfisher. Pleistocene fossils of this species from 600,000 years ago have been discovered in Florida, Virginia, Texas and Tennessee. The name is Greek in origin, Montana Outdoors reports. Their legs ⦠This week, the proposal passed by 625 votes out of about 7,800 votes cast. J.B. Pritzk…. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday four new cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, bringing the total to 11, and he issued a disaster proclamation giving the state access to state money and possibly federal reimbursement for the costs of fighting the potentially deadly illness. University of Illinois senior Spencer Hulsey's design for a new mascot: the appropriately orange-and-blue-colored belted kingfisher, which is native to Illinois. Your membership makes our reporting possible. A previous student referendum had made clear that many are in favor of the move beyond just the senate. You have permission to edit this article. After the vote, Hulsey said she was gratified by the huge margin of victory. But the kingfisher just might have a different fate. Please subscribe to keep reading. Briefly, the Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a distinctive inhabitant of water bodies around North America. The belted kingfisher sports the school colors of orange and blue. Paulette may go by the nickname Smurfette. It nests in burrows along earthen banks and feeds almost entirely on aquatic prey, diving to catch fish and crayfish with its heavy, straight bill. Bald Eagles are occasional during winter (a pair of Bald Eagles built a nest at nearby Mittal Woods in 2004). The concept was more than enough to carry the vote.”. Other regularly wintering waterbirds include Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, American Coot, and Belted Kingfisher. The belted kingfisher's scientific name is Megaceryle alcyon. The idea came to Spencer Hulsey in a doodle. “It’s a pretty intimidating predatory bird,” Zhou said. Chiseled out of the state's far northern region is Rock Cut State Park in Winnebago County. She was last seen wearing jeans, a light colored sweater, and white tennis shoes. During a physics discussion at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she idly sketched a belted kingfisher, a ⦠Description. Per the report, the University of Illinoisâ senate âendorsed the idea of making the belted kingfisherâ the schoolâs next mascot. Could the belted kingfisher, an orange and blue predatory bird, become the University of Illinoisâ new mascot? Notes: He may still be in the local area or he may travel to Lockport, Illinois. Black-crowned Night-Herons are far less reliable in winter, but they occasionally do occur. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaignâs senate on Monday endorsed the idea of making the belted kingfisher -- a blue and orange bird native ⦠Joliet IL. Belted Kingfisher in October. In this Feb. 21, 2007 file photo, University of Illinois mascot Chief Illiniwek performs for the last time during an Illinois basketball game in Champaign. The belted kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird that measures between 28â35 cm (11â14 in) in length with a wingspan of between 48â58 cm (19â23 in). One confused correspondent, she said, referred to her as an “uninformed millennial” (“I’m technically Gen Z,” she said). âNew student section traditions are a vital part of integrating a new mascot into our community,â they wrote in the proposal considered by the senate. According to mythology, Halcyone angered the other gods, who then turned her into a kingfisher. Joshua's two front teeth are capped and one of them is discolored. Please subscribe to keep reading. Pritzker has issued a disaster declaration to fight COVID-19. Donna has a scar on her nose, a birthmark on her right ear, and tattoos on her right ankle and right wrist. With its top-heavy physique, energetic flight, and piercing rattle, the Belted Kingfisher seems to have an air of self-importance as it patrols up and down rivers and shorelines. During a physics discussion at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she idly sketched out a belted kingfisher⦠Belted Kingfisher in October. According to results released Monday night, 4,222 voted in favor of the bird, while 3,597 voted against it. Belted Kingfisher was previously included in genus Ceryle, but recent genetic studies (Moyle 2006, Kelly et al 2020) re-assigned it to Megaceryle along with Ringed Kingfisher (M. torquata) of the southwestern US to South America and two other species in Africa and India. Recently, over 100 university students voted to make the "belted kingfisher" â a blue and orange bird native to Illinois â the school's new mascot. He has a tattoo under his right eye and above his right eyebrow. Illinois. Athletic department must make the change though. Notes: He may go by the alias name Anton Berkel. URBANA — The idea came to Spencer Hulsey in a doodle. Thatâs perfect,â said designer Spencer Hulsey, senior in LAS. Notes: Donna's photo is shown age-progressed to 36 years. âWeâre really trying to get everyone on board with this amazing mascot," student senator Dana Yun said. You can cancel at any time. Notes: Chengxu and Zhaoxu may be in the company of their mother. She was aware of the drama her school has endured since retiring Chief Illiniwek, the American Indian symbol the NCAA deemed to be “hostile and abusive.” While many still pine for the chief’s return, others have suggested breaking from the past with a new mascot. Town. Chief Illiniwek was the mascot (often referred to by supporters as the "symbol") of the University of Illinois at UrbanaâChampaign (UIUC), associated with the University's intercollegiate athletic programs, from October 30, 1926 to February 21, 2007. No credit card required. She also has asthma. Theyâre boldly patterned with blue, white, and orange, and have a big head supporting a massive bill and a shaggy mohawk crest. The belted kingfisher may soon represent my beloved Illini, partly because itâs orange and blue, the school colors, and partly because a student who ⦠Gov. A belted kingfisher is making the rounds as a potential mascot for the University. Business owners hoping to open retail marijuana shops in Illinois will get a second chance at qualifying for a license, after Gov. The resolution called for Chancellor Robert Jones to adopt a new mascot, condemn public displays of Chief Illiniwek and consider the kingfisher as a potential successor. Belted kingfisher advances as University of Illinoisâ new mascot, {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, PROVIDED BY SPENCER HUSLEY VIA CHICAGO TRIBUNE. No credit card required. The ⦠Students at the University of Illinois last week voted in favor of adopting the Belted Kingfisher, an orange and blue bird native to the state, as the schoolâs mascot. The undergraduate student senate at the University of Illinois has voted 105-2 (with 4 abstaining) in favor of replacing the Fighting Illini mascot with the belted kingfisher. âFor example, as kingfishers are diving birds, a student could do a simple, dive-bombing hand motion that ends with a âsplashâ noise or explosion of hands when our team scores a touchdown or a free-throw.â, A belted kingfisher sits on a branch in Oak Brook in 2011. âWithout the university taking action to adopt a new mascot, which the student body already voted in favor of adopting, it is easier for these students to hold onto this racist imagery as a symbol of Illinois pride,â said Sofia Sinnokrot, a student senator who endorsed the measure. Chancellor Robert Jones will be the final arbiter of any new mascot, but no timetable or process toward making that decision has been set, a university spokeswoman said. The vote was merely advisory. He was last seen at home on October 12, 1991. Joliet IL. The proposal passed by a narrow margin, and since then, Hulsey and others have come up with ideas on how to knit the mascot into campus life, from orange and blue kazoos that would emulate the birds' long beaks to spirit rituals students could perform during games. In a nonbinding poll, students at the University of Illinois are asking for their own feathered mascot, a belted kingfisher. She sketched a version and took it to the Illinois Student Government, which put it to a campuswide vote in March. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your efforts and for such a profoundly important step forward, to create this opportunity for us to finally, finally move on.". University of Illinois senior Spencer Hulsey's design for a new mascot: the appropriately orange-and-blue-colored belted kingfisher, which is native to Illinois. Views. “We can see a kingfisher dunking a basketball or we can take pictures with it. Nearest Area. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaignâs senate. On Monday, the Illinois Department of Public Health said there were 1,477 new cases of COVID-19 reported along with seven additional deaths. âThese birds are orange and blue, literally. It may be seen perched on a high snag, or hovering on rapidly beating wings, then plunging headfirst into the water to grab a fish. The kingfisher is the brainchild of recent graduate Spencer Hulsey, who often saw the birds when she was growing up on her familyâs farm outside Kinmundy, Illinois. The idea came to Spencer Hulsey in a doodle. Its rattling call is a familiar sound around water bodies in spring and summer. She said the bird’s crisp graphic design and uniqueness as a mascot gave it an edge over Alma Otter, which started as a jokey meme.