On Wednesday, April 9th, the Illinois House approved a scaled-back version of the ‘Right to Play’ Act by a vote of 68-39, giving high school athletes in Illinois limited rights to participate in non-school sports events during the same season. The bill aims to relax current IHSA rules, which restrict student participation in outside tournaments or teams unless approved by the school and IHSA.
Under the new legislation, athletes could get waivers for up to two outside events annually, including all-star games, with only their principal or athletic director’s approval — no longer needing IHSA permission or official sanctioning. Critics say this could increase risks to athlete safety and create conflicts between school and non-school coaches. IHSA remains opposed, emphasizing the importance of a fair and regulated process.
The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration. Supporters argue it provides more opportunities for Illinois students to compete internationally and for national recognition, while opponents raise concerns about health and safety risks.
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