Former Chiefs fear the end is near

 A group of former chiefs worry their tradition will end prematurely. They say state senate presdient, Emil Jones, is stepping up pressure to get rid of Chief Illiniwek. Former Chief Steve Raquel says they've heard rumblings about the added pressure ever since a new board of trustees member was appointed several weeks ago.

   They say if the chief is retired, they want it done honorably. But now they fear it will be a pressured decision. That's why Raquel says they sent a letter to the University pleading for more time to come up with proposal.

"We wanted to communicate to the University that our process is still in play and we have every intention of finishing that up; and any decision made prematurely would not be in their best interest."

    Emil Jones' stance on the chief is no secret.  In fact,several years ago he held one-on-one meetings with trustees and spoke with them about getting rid of the chief.  The University even says Jones has commented that he'd impact their funding if the chief stays. Now it hasn't come to that, but the University says it wants to continue with its consensus process and not let any outside pressure interfere.

   Meantime..Jones denies turning up the heat on University officials.

   The Board of Trustee chairman has said a decision will be made in 2007.  The former chiefs hope they have a couple more months to put together a proposal.