Opponents asking authorities to stop 'Paint the Hall Chief'

CHAMPAIGN — Opponents of Chief Illiniwek are calling on state and federal authorities to stop a planned "Paint the Hall Chief" event Thursday night in Champaign.

A letter signed by 16 people — activists, several Native Americans and professors affiliated with the Campus Faculty Association, among others — said the event violates state and federal anti-discrimination statutes, including the U.S. Civil Rights Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Event organizers have asked Illini fans to wear Chief shirts or other apparel to the game to show support for the former UI symbol. Anti-Chief activists, who consider it a racist mascot, also plan to be on hand, though both sides have pledged to…