North Cook News

Legislation to allow Illinois students to modify their athletic or team uniforms without first getting permission is good news for students of all backgrounds, a suburban Chicago state senator said in a social media post last week.

"House Bill 120 has been signed into law!" state Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) said in her Friday, July 9 Facebook post. "Being on a sports team is about having fun and staying active -- I'm proud to see student athletes are now able to be their authentic selves, both on and off the field."

Earlier that day, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed HB 120 into a public act, which took effect immediately.

In a separate statement issued the same day, Murphy, who was an HB 120 co-sponsor, said the new public act will allow students of all backgrounds to "represent their schools with confidence" by allowing them more flexibility in their uniform design.

"Athletic uniforms are about establishing a sense of camaraderie between team members, but for many students, the design of a uniform can be a barrier," Murphy said in her statement. "This law represents a step forward for diversity and inclusion in Illinois."

Murphy has represented Illinois State Senate District 28 since October 2015 when Democratic Party leaders selected her to finish out the term of Sen. Dan Kotowski, a Park Ridge Democrat who stepped down to become CEO of a Chicago nonprofit. She won a full term during the 2016 General Election, taking almost 54 percent of the vote to defeat her Republican challenger Mel Thillens. She was unopposed in last November's General Election.

State Senate District 28 includes all or parts of Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Park Ridge, Roselle and Schaumburg.

HB 120, the "modest sport uniform" bill, requires Illinois schools, public universities and community colleges to allow any student to modify their athletic or team uniform to comply with their religious or cultural believes without getting permission from a governing board. The bill also states that any changes students make to their athletic or team uniforms present no safety hazard and that the student is responsible for all costs associated with the modifications.

HB 120 was introduced into the House in January by State House Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) and passed that chamber with 103 yeas and five nays on April 16. HB 120 passed the Senate with 54 yeas and three nays on May 27.