A proposed law in the US state of Illinois would compel schools to stop using Native American imagery, names or mascots.

Illinois House Bill 1237 had its first reading on April 14 and passed the House on April 15. The bill is currently in the state Senate.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 71-40 and was filed by State Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford) on Feb. 7.

Mr West said the bill both "honours all people and acknowledges the financial realities schools face when changing mascots", WGN9 reports.

"Ultimately, it's about showing respect for Native American Illinoisans, who have shaped our state into what it is today," he said.

The bill defines prohibited school mascots based on federally recognised tribes, historical Native American people or groups, or other characteristics.

The proposed legislation allows schools to continue to use previously purchased uniforms and other materials that include Native American mascots until 2030, if the school selects a new mascot and refrains from buying new materials with the prohibited mascot.

If a school facility bears a prohibited name, logo, or mascot, the school would be required to update that facility the next time it is remodelled or replaced.

Illinois State Senator Jil Tracy said talking with local residents who went to two schools affected by the bill - Pikeland School District in Pittsfield, named the Saukees, and Payson-Seymour Community Schools, named the Indians - showed significant opposition.

"I don't see it as derogatory to Native Americans. I've certainly heard a lot of opposition to this bill," Ms Tracy said, 7KHQA reports.

However, the bill makes clear that schools with team names of a federally recognised tribe or historical Native American person can continue to use its current team name and an agreed-upon logo and mascot if written consent is obtained from that tribe or the tribe of which the historical Native American person was a member.

The consent must also include a partnership with the tribe to provide substantive learning opportunities, as well as school policies that ensure slurs, offensive imagery, caricatures, and fake Native American behaviours are not allowed in learning environments.

The bill includes provision for the consent to be reviewed every five years, and for procedures should the consent agreement end.

The legislation now goes to the Illinois State Senate, where it must pass before being sent to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's desk for final approval into law.