Despite IHSA opposition, Illinois lawmakers approve bill for
student-athletes
[April 11, 2025]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Student-athletes could be granted waivers for
non-school athletic events with a measure approved by the Illinois
House.
State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, sponsored House Bill 3037. She
said the measure came to her from student-athletes in her district and
around the state.
Yang Rohr noted that it advanced unanimously out of committee.
“Members just inherently recognized the absurdity it is that our
Illinois students are bound by rules that have resulted in, for example,
an autistic cross-country runner being disqualified from his
cross-country season for participating in a 20-minute charity run on
behalf of his hospitalized sister,” Yang Rohr said Wednesday on the
House floor.
The Naperville Democrat said she heard from countless students and
student-athletes who support the bill, which would create the Right to
Play Act.
Yang Rohr said principals and athletic directors would be free to not
use the waivers.
The Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Principals
Association both registered their opposition to the measure. Yang Rohr
said she worked on the amendment with principals, athletic directors and
coaches who said the IPA did not speak on their behalf or consult with
them before the associations registered their opposition.
[to top of second column]
|
Yang Rohr said the IHSA indicated to her that the amended bill was
an improvement over the original.
“I will also say that, on principle, they have told me that they do
not believe that Springfield belongs in their business,” Yang Rohr
said.
State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, said it was
incredibly brave for Yang Rohr to bring the bill forward.
“I feel for you because it’s obvious that the IHSA has done nothing
but put pressure on you to amend this bill, and to your statement,
which I think is incredibly telling, that Springfield has no
authority and should stay out of IHSA business, is amazing to me,”
McLaughlin said. “The ISHA should frankly do what they were
originally intended to do and that was to be fair with all
student-athletes.”
McLaughlin said the IHSA should “stay in its lane.”
House members voted 68-39 in favor of the bill, with two
representatives voting present. HB 3037 had both bipartisan
sponsorship and opposition.
Even if the bill becomes law, Yang Rohr said Illinois would remain
one of the 10 strictest states for these types of regulations. |
