LaHood, Davis, Butler Criticize
Governor Pritzker’s New Restrictions on Youth Sports
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[August 12, 2020]
U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18) and
Rodney Davis (IL-13), and Illinois State Representative Tim Butler
(HD-87) today criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker’s new restrictions
on youth sports, which cancel competitive fall play for football,
basketball, volleyball, and other sports.
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“As a father of three boys who play sports
year-round, I understand the integral role athletics play in the
education of our children and their mental and physical health. A
one-size-fits-all structure to regulating youth sports is not the
right approach in a state as regionally diverse as Illinois. This is
a clear overreach by Governor Pritzker, and there will be
significant health consequences for our children because of these
rules,” said Rep. LaHood.
“There should not be one-size-fits-all regulations for youth sports
statewide,” said Rep. Davis. “As Governor Pritzker’s rules currently
stand, competitive play for sports like football and basketball is
cancelled statewide for as long as the Governor wants. That’s the
wrong approach. Local schools, in consultation with parents,
athletes, coaches, and their conferences, should get the final say.
The Governor’s Office has no business determining who can and cannot
play youth sports. This is yet another overreach from Governor
Pritzker.”
"From day one of his executive orders the governor has said he
relies solely upon science to make his decisions,” said Rep. Butler.
“Well, where is his science on these decisions today? Why are sports
like basketball and soccer a lower risk level then Lacrosse for
ultimate Frisbee? What is the science on four different levels of
play? Yet again, the governor seems to be making these decisions
completely on his own, and certainly with no input from any other
elected official."
Governor Pritzker’s new restrictions “pertains to all youth and
adult recreational sports, including, but not limited to,
school-based sports (IHSA & IESA), travel clubs, private leagues and
clubs, recreational leagues and centers, and park district sports
programs.”
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Governor Pritzker’s restrictions on youth sports can
be
found here.
Earlier this week, U.S. Reps. Davis and LaHood, State
Reps. Butler and Mike Murphy (HD-99), and State Senator Steve
McClure (SD-50) sent a letter to Governor Pritzker requesting
clarification and additional guidance on high school sports. The
letter was sent following input the five lawmakers received from
coaches of public and private high school athletics programs in
central Illinois.
The letter partly states, “High school sports are a vitally
important part of these students’ academic careers and for some,
sports are an integral part to their mental health. For many
students, their high school coaches have a strong parental role in
their lives and interactions with these coaches lead to a more
positive life.
“…Additionally, like previous requests to use a regional approach
when reopening the state, we request a regional approach to this
plan as well.
“…Canceling sports in highly populous regions that have significant
amounts of COVID-19 cases should not cause sports to be canceled in
regions on the other side of the state that are much less populous
and that have far fewer COVID-19 cases.”
You can find a
copy of the letter here.
[Office of Congressman Darin LaHood]
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