The two-day, non-binding vote will gauge whether to make the belted kingfisher the new mascot. It's a bird native to Illinois.
The belted kingfisher sports the school colors of orange and blue.
It's the second year that the Illinois student government has put out a mascot referendum for a vote, with last year's Alma Otter being voted down.
The outcome of this year's vote won't be announced until next Wednesday.