Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HR895: U OF I MEMORIAL STADIUM NAME
Status: In committee, May 30, 2026
Expresses gratitude to Larry Gies and to Beth Gies for their acts of profound generosity to the University of Illinois System. Expresses continuing and undiminished gratitude to those who have fallen in service to the United States of America, this gratitude being symbolized by the recognition of those from the University of Illinois who served and died in World War I and subsequent conflicts. Expresses the belief that on October 28, 1924, the University of Illinois made a solemn pledge at the dedication ceremony of Memorial Stadium to those whose names are inscribed on its columns, a pledge that should not be altered for the sake of obtaining funding from alumni or any other entity. Calls upon the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and Larry and Beth Gies to agree that an alternate means of acknowledging their gift is appropriate. Urges that the name of the structure standing between First and Fourth Streets on the campus of the University of Illinois be permanently restored to "Memorial Stadium".
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 12, 2026:
HR0895LRB104 21709 MST 37319 r HR0895 LRB104 21709 MST 37319 r HR0895 LRB104 21709 MST 37319 r HOUSE RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Standing between First and Fourth Streets on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, Memorial Stadium, dedicated in 1924, is a structure revered for its Classic Revival architectural style and for its historical significance both to the University and to the State of Illinois; and WHEREAS, As the stadium committee charged with building the structure wished to build a memorial for the people of Illinois who served, were wounded, and died during World War I, George Huff assembled a group of active and interested alumni in November 1921 that presented a formal request to the Illinois Department of the American Legion for the stadium to be officially recognized as a state memorial; and WHEREAS, After making the request, the stadium committee, the Board of Trustees, the Alumni Association, and the Athletic Association formally began the campaign to build the stadium, which was constructed between 1923 and 1924 and was dedicated as the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium on October 28, 1924; and WHEREAS, At the October 1924 dedication ceremony, the president of the University of Illinois, David Kinley, said HR0895- 2 -LRB104 21709 MST 37319 r HR0895 - 2 - LRB104 21709 MST 37319 r HR0895 - 2 - LRB104 21709 …