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A new bill in Springfield would seek to overturn an IHSA decision to change the girls’ high school flag football season, while adding more playoff teams in tackle football.
“The problem with this particular decision is that it was made by a very small group,” said State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, whose district includes Naperville.
Yang Rohr is introducing a bill in Springfield to overturn the IHSA’s decision to shorten the girls’ high school flag football regular season by one week, instead choosing to add more time off between playoff games which end October 17.
“This is ultimately about transparency and accountability, and I hope everyone, especially someone with as much power with it as the IHSA, agrees that accountability and transparency are important,” Yang Rohr said.
The bill, officially introduced Wednesday in the Illinois General Assembly, would require the IHSA to get state approval before making changes that negatively impact girls sports.
“It gives families, students, schools a 30-day period to make comments and the IHSA has to do that review, that gender equity review and submit it to the Illinois State Board of Education,” Yang Rohr said.
The bill is getting support from other state lawmakers including State Rep. Kam Buckner and State Rep. Camille Lilly, who plan to be co-sponsors of the bill.
“Girls flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in Illinois, and our young women deserve more opportunities, not fewer. HB 5799 ensures that when decisions are made that could reduce opportunities for girls, there is transparency, public input, and accountability. Student-athletes and their families deserve nothing less,” Lilly said.
The IHSA sent NBC Chicago a statement:
“The IHSA has communicated with members of the Illinois General Assembly regarding the slight modification to the IHSA flag football calendar that was approved through our advisory committee and Board of Directors process. At this juncture, we have not had any direct communication with Representative Yang Rohr regarding her proposed legislation.
“While the calendar adjustment does not change the overall length of the season, we welcome the opportunity to meet with Representative Yang Rohr and any other interested legislators to better understand their concerns and provide additional insight into the IHSA’s membership-driven governance and processes.
“We have no doubt that Representative Yang Rohr’s intentions are to support the continued growth of girls flag football in Illinois. However, meaningful dialogue should occur before legislative action is taken. Altering IHSA policies through legislation, rather than through the established processes involving member schools, could create unintended consequences that jeopardize existing flag football programs and make it more difficult for additional schools to launch programs in the future.”
“The IHSA appreciates the opportunity to speak on this matter, but our objective is to have meaningful dialogue with interested lawmakers, rather than to litigate this matter in the media. We have worked with Representative Yang Rohr in the past and look forward to doing so again. Out of respect for everyone involved, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Yang Rohr disputes the idea that enough communication took place, and said she will work collaboratively with stakeholders to resolve any lingering issues.
“I sure hope they’re not saying that as a threat to A.D.s and coaches, telling them not to launch programs because flag football has been the number one growing sport for girls in the United States,” she said. “Go take a look at that bill and we always work collaboratively with all our stakeholders and so would love to hear their feedback.”