North Cook News

State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) wishes he could make Gov. J.B. Pritzker see the big picture on high school athletics.

“School sports provide a much-needed outlet for many students to handle stress, build confidence, develop character and learn to work with teammates,” Morison told the North Cook News. “These are critically important considerations within the totality of the situation we face. For many students, excellent skill and performance in high school is what provides an opportunity to earn much needed scholarships for college. A handful of top Illinois prospects have moved to other states to have an opportunity to play, but obviously, most families do not have that ability to just pick up and move.”

Given the high stakes, Morrison isn’t surprised to see parents, coaches and students athletes alike all now taking to the street to protest the governor’s fall spots ban over COVID-19 concerns.

In addition, the Illinois High School Association fired off a letter to Pritzker requesting that they be allowed “to resume control over determining the resumption of sports and activities.” Currently, the two sides are allowing teams across the state to practice this month under specific COVID-19 guidelines

“These are critically important considerations within the totality of the situation we face," Morison added. "If the parents, students, and staff sign waivers and abide by the other preventive measures that are being followed in the other sports, it should be acceptable to move forward.”

At the end of the day, Morrison said he would like to have lawmakers back in session so their voices could also be heard instead of Pritzker just being able to unilaterally make all the decisions.

“There is room on the spectrum between no restrictions whatsoever and the governor's orders that, at times, have been excessively restrictive and arbitrary,” he said. “There are serious ramifications and consequences to public health and society as a whole that must be considered beyond just the COVID-19 virus.”