* Here you go…
…Adding… With all the stuff going on in DC, they still decided to weigh in here…
U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Darin LaHood (IL-18), 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.
“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. As a former youth football and baseball coach, I believe 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.”
“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.
“From day one of his executive orders, the Governor has said he relies solely upon science to make his decisions,” said Butler. “Well, where is his science on these decisions today? Why are sports like lacrosse or ultimate frisbee a higher risk level than basketball and soccer? 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.”
- Logical Thinker - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:27 pm:
This literally has zero chance of happening because there won’t be a widespread vaccine by then (if ever) and are the teachers going to be willing to go back to the classrooms by the spring?
This is just another “kick the can” moment. At this point, we might consider getting this made into a statue.
- Almost the weekend - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:29 pm:
Best of a bad situation. Smart to move baseball and football into different seasons.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:29 pm:
This is the correct call for everyone.
This is the only call for everyone.
This is how decisions are made to save lives.
This is leadership
- Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:35 pm:
IHSA did it right. logistically I don’t see how any of these sports ever get played with kids testing positive, officials getting sick and on and on, but I like a plan.
To those who look to other states that say they are going to play football this fall - HA. Won’t happen and Illinois decisions will again be proven to be right and ahead of the curve.
When the State Fair was cancelled you’d thought that Illinois was the only state do so. Look around they are all done and even MO had to come to grips with reality and call 99% percent of it off.
- Retired still in Illinois - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:48 pm:
How long before the states illustrious Covid attorney files a lawsuit to stop this injustice? s/
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:54 pm:
Right call by the IHSA. I know that there are those that will be disappointed by the absence of fall sports, but I would have expected that a lot of parents would have held there kids out of participating anyway given where things stand. The current polling in my district shows a 65/35% split in favor of remote learning. Hard to believe that you can field teams when 65% of parents don’t think their kids should be in a school building to begin with.
- Froganon - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:55 pm:
Good call. Exposing your own child to the possibility of this thing In order to play a sport is the definition of child abuse. Finding an outlet for all of their energy requires effort but can be done. Need some team action? Try community service.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:55 pm:
Well, at least the Governor’s restrictions caused some folks to finally be grown ups about it.
- Moe Berg - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:56 pm:
Fellow baseballer Cool Papa Bell is correct.
IL is ahead of the curve and dealing in reality.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:56 pm:
Glad to see cross country moved to spring also.
- AD - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:58 pm:
It’ll be interesting to see if they can get enough adults involved. Refs and umpires are paid $50/$100 a game. After gas and time driving, I’m not sure it’s worth the risk to many of them.
- ajjacksson - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:05 pm:
Froganon–You obviously have never seen real child abuse. You minimize what kids in a real abuse situation go through.
- filmmaker prof - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:14 pm:
Yes Rodney, each individual school should decide for itself whether or not it wants to play football. Then it can go ahead and create its own schedule of opponents, book officials, set up transportation, hire ushers, print tickets, create posters and publicity … oh, and be ready to change all that at a moment’s notice if one of your opponent schools has someone with the virus.
Because areawide and statewide competition is decided individually.
- Eastside - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:21 pm:
Each school DOES; create their own schedule, book officials, set up transportation, etc. What do you think Athletic Directors do? It is in the job title even.
- Just Wondering - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:28 pm:
I’m sorry I know I said I was out for the day. I’m sitting here enjoying the sunshine and I read finally Davis, LaHood, and Butler decide to weigh in on Governor Pritzker’s decisions. Well where have they been for the last 100 plus days? When tough decisions need to be made they just want to complain and play to the masses.
Once again politics comes first. OK my beer is here.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:56 pm:
So he uses the word schools, so he is referring to scholastic athletics, not club athletics. So in terms of a safety concern that ‘consultation’ should apply?
Congressman, right now the rules of HS football states
If the coach, in consultation with the parents, says that Timmy is ok, should I allow him back in the game? How about if they say yes, but the trainer says no, after all, it is a majority of those consulted? What if it is a really important game?
Should after consultation with the coaches it is decided that we should not call horsecollar tackles as penalties, or roughing the kicker, or roughing the passer?
If a kid is bleeding on the field, should we let them stay in the game if both coaches are ok with it?
Of course not. Safety is not a ‘consultation’ thing.
Congressman, I am glad you feel strongly about this subject, I would like to point out the IHSA is always looking for officials and you are more than welcome to sign up take a test and have 22 kids breath on you in close proximity.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:58 pm:
– MrJM
- MyTwoCents - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:28 pm:
I think this is the right approach and I’m glad that they’ve spread things out so multi-sport athletes don’t have to decide. IHSA also has to remain optimistic because while it’s likely spring won’t be normal, it’s better to cancel later than just cancel everything now. None of us know what’s going to happen between now and the spring.
As for Davis, LaHood and Butler, my question to them is what steps are they taking individually to keep their children safe. If they’re not ensuring constant mask wearing, not allowing out of state travel, ensuring social distancing, etc. excuse me if I don’t take a word out of their mouths seriously. Lead by example or get out of the way.
- Frank talks - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 5:43 pm:
Can they do Friday Night Lights for Girls Tennis? Have Billy Bob Thornton play the coach?
- Lynn S. - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:13 pm:
WCIA just ran footage of a small-town parent who wants the IHSA to follow “the lead of other states and find ways to make sports happen.”
I’m not going to say her name, but I think I just learned that I should never assume mothers will take care of their children.
(I think some of my outrage is coming from the fact that this person is from a town where they had to shut down a daycare because of Covid-19.)
Smh
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:19 pm:
love sports but these Congressmen should be worried about things other than sports. like the pandemic in general. help people with healthcare.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:21 pm:
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by the comments from Davis, LaHood, and Butler. But every state that has chosen to defy science and health experts and throw caution to the wind by opening things back up or not requiring masks has been proven wrong. Do we really want to put kids, coaches, and communities at risk in the face of those odds?
- Almost the weekend - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 6:39 pm:
Well now we know what Rodney Davis’ 2022 gubernatorial campaign will be about. Playing tackle football in the fall in the midst of a pandemic.
- Lurker - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:01 pm:
If they can run cross country, why can’t I run my 5Ks and 10Ks. Trust me, how slow I am I should not be near anyone.
- Chatham Resident - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:07 pm:
==WCIA just ran footage of a small-town parent who wants the IHSA to follow “the lead of other states and find ways to make sports happen.”==
WCIA’s viewing area includes part of the Eastern Bloc.
- Give Us Barabbas - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 9:15 pm:
At least inter-school debate and Scholastic bowl team competitions can still be done thru Zoom.
- SouthSideGT - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 7:14 am:
It looks like Texas is allowing high school sports to go forward. I guess to quote the president*, “We’ll see what happens.” , but I am pretty sure Texas will wind up with more sick children, teachers, and coaches. I agree with OW that JB is exhibiting leadership and the three reps are just clueless.
- Dave Fako / Fako Research & Strategies - Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 8:00 am:
“If they can run cross country, why can’t I run my 5Ks and 10Ks. Trust me, how slow I am I should not be near anyone.”
In addition to my public policy / political consulting business that I have run for nearly 25 years, I also have organized races, served as an RD and co-owned a race manegment company as well as competed in over 300 events.
Event these types of races - 5Ks, Half Marathons, etc.. are going through major adaptations - they are doing things like setting up assigned arrival and start times and smaller waves with larger intervals between them to keep racers spread out. Reducisng or eliminating pre and post race gatherings, etc. In CC they can easily spread runners out via a time trial start. One race I do has a new policy - show up, run, leave.