A bill to allow students to engage in both school and nonschool athletic activities without jeopardizing their eligibility for school sports has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly.
The “Right to Play Act” is expected to benefit students by allowing them to explore different athletic opportunities outside of school while maintaining their eligibility for school teams. This flexibility could enhance their overall athletic development and provide more choices for extracurricular engagement.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Eligibility: The bill permits students to participate in nonschool athletic activities for the same sport as their school team during the school season, provided they do not engage in both a nonschool activity and a school practice or competition on the same day.
- Definition of Activities: Nonschool athletic activities are defined as organized sports not sponsored by or associated with a school, involving games, competitions, or practice for such events.
- School Definition: The bill applies to both public and nonpublic schools, including charter schools.
Introduced by Representative Janet Yang Rohr (D-41), the bill is part of a broader effort to support student participation in sports. If passed, it would amend the Illinois School Code to include these provisions, ensuring that students can balance their interests in both school and nonschool sports without facing eligibility restrictions.
