The Illinois Department of Public Health issued new sport guidance Wednesday afternoon.

“Whether they’re new to the game, or have been training since they could walk, kids want to play sports,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “Parents want to cheer from the stands and watch the kids succeed and offer some occasionally unsolicited advice for the next game.

“Some young people are working toward a scholarship so that they can fund their college education. These are incredibly important moments in the lives of our children and our families and interrupting the season for our athletes and their fans is not a choice that anyone wants to make.

“But when the multi million dollar, multi billion dollar sports leagues with multi million dollar athletes are struggling to protect their players, it’s obvious that there won’t be enough protection for kids on our school playing fields. The NBA has resorted to containing its players in Orlando, to press on with its season, MLB is facing a major outbreak just days into its abbreviated fan free season.

“This virus is unrelenting, and it spreads so easily that no amount of restriction seems to keep it off the playing field or out of the locker room.”

But the guidance will not just affect youth sports, but adult recreational organized sports, too. 

“That includes school based sports such as those governed by the IHSA and IES, travel clubs, private leagues, recreational leagues and sports centers and Park District sports programs, just to name a few.”

Under the new guidance, each sport will be categorized into three “risk levels” – high, medium and low – determined by “the amount of contact between athletes and their proximity during play.”

Level 1: No-contact practices and trainings only
Level 2: Intra-team scrimmages allowed, with parental consent for minors; no competitive play
Level 3: Intra-conference or Intra-EMS-region1 or intra-league play/meets only; state- or league-championship game/meet allowed for low-risk sports only
Level 4: Tournaments, out-of-conference/league play, multi-team meets, out-of-state play allowed; championship games allowed

The state’s coronavirus conditions dictate the following levels are allowed for each risk group:

• Lower-risk sports can currently play at Levels 1, 2, and 3
• Medium-risk sports can currently play at Level 1 and 2
• Higher-risk sports can currently play at Level 1

Here’s where each group ranks in terms of risk:

Higher Risk

Boxing: Higher
Competitive Cheer: Higher
Competitive Dance: Higher
Football: Higher
Hockey: Higher
Lacrosse: Higher
Martial Arts: Higher
Rugby: Higher
Ultimate Frisbee: Higher
Wrestling: Higher

Medium Risk

Basketball: Medium
Fencing: Medium
Flag Football or 7v7 Football: Medium
Paintball: Medium
Racquetball: Medium
Soccer: Medium
Volleyball: Medium
Water Polo: Medium
Wheelchair Basketball: Medium

Lower Risk:

Archery: Lower
Badminton: Lower
Baseball: Lower, if at least 6-feet apart in dugout areas, or players seated 6 feet apart in bleachers behind dugout. If not, this would be considered medium
Bass Fishing: Lower, if limit number of individuals on boat to allow for social distancing. If not, this would be labeled medium
Bowling: Lower
Climbing: Lower
Crew: Lower
Cross Country: Lower, if number of teams is significantly limited and physical workspace guidelines followed
Cycling: Lower, if individual or use only every other track in velodrome. If not, this is considered medium
Disc Golf: Lower
Scholastic Golf: Lower
Gymnastics: Lower if able to clean equipment between participants. Otherwise, considered Medium
Horseback Riding: Lower
Ice Skating: Lower, if singles only. Otherwise, higher
Ropes Courses: Lower, if able to socially distance and clean between each individual. If not, this is considered higher
Sailing, Canoeing, Kayaking: Lower, if limited number on boat to socially distance. Otherwise, higher
Sideline Spirit: Lower if 6-feet apart and no stunts or lifts. Otherwise this would be considered higher
Skateboarding: Lower
Softball: Lower, if at least 6-feet apart in dugout areas, or players seated 6-feet apart in bleachers behind dugout. If not, this is considered medium
Swimming/Diving: Lower, if restricted to single lane and singles diving. No relays,
synchronized swimming, or paired diving. If not, considered medium
Tennis: Lower
Track and Field: Lower, if delayed starts, every other track, and cleaning of equipment between usage; otherwise medium
Weight Lifting: Lower, if able to clean between each individual. If not, this would be considered medium