Governor Reacts to IHSA Announcement

The Illinois High School Association has decided to go ahead with the basketball season as originally scheduled Despite new rules from the state. Ultimatley that will leave the final decision of participation up to individual school districts.

The IHSA decision came the day after Governor JB Pritzker said basketball is being moved to the ‘high risk’ category for COVID transmission and that for now only non-contact practices can be held.

Pritzker reacted to the IHSA decision at his daily COVID-19 news update.

“You know IHSA may have their views, but school districts know what the rules are and it’s unfortunate but they would probably be taking on legal liability if they went ahead of what the state set as the mitigation standard,” said Pritzker.

The IHSA says they are implementing safety measures that would keep kids safe, such as requiring players and coaches to wear masks, promoting social distancing, and limiting the number of people inside facilities.

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in yesterday's press conference that the Board of Directors would release the mitigations recomended by IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee that the IHSA will require for schools to participate in the winter sports season.

Carmen Ayala, state superintendent of education for the Illinois State Board of Education, stated  "Defying the state's public health guidance opens schools up to liability and other ramifications that may negatively impact school communities," in the letter released Wednesday to superintendents across the state.