BURBANK, Ill. (WLS) — The “Right To Play” act has achieved a groundbreaking settlement, allowing young athletes the opportunity to participate in non-school events or on non-school teams during the same season they represent their school.
Previously, a high school student-athlete involved in a club team sport risked suspension from their high school team activities. The newly introduced rule permits them to engage in both.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Santiago Chavez, a sophomore at Reavis High School in Burbank and a leading distance runner in the state, aspires to continue his athletic career in college. Last season, he faced a two-week suspension from the high school season for competing in a non-IHSA track meet. Thanks to the agreement reached between state legislators and the Illinois High School Association, such incidents should no longer occur.
“Makes me happy now I can compete without limitations,” Chavez said.
Reavis High School athletic director Bob Morack said the rule change will allow for the best of both worlds.
“Most importantly the athletes. We wanna protect our kids,” Morack said. “We wanna do right by them, and I think this does that.”
READ MORE | Illinois House committee passes bill for student-athletes hoping to play club, school sports
According to IHSA rules, Chavez and thousands of other Illinois high school student athletes could be ruled ineligible for participating in a club sport event during the high school season. Naperville-area District 41 state Representative Janet Yang Rohr sponsored a bill in the Illinois House to change that.
“I’ve heard from student-athletes and families from around the state, and they are thrilled,” Yang Rohr said. “Because it really does open up opportunities.”
The IHSA will give student-athletes two waivers per season to participate in club sports. They released a statement, saying in part they support the change because it “would provide more opportunities for non-school participation for high school students during their IHSA season.”
Soccer player Libby Magnone was suspended for two high school seasons because she chose to play in club showcase matches in front of college recruiters. She testified before the house education committee in Springfield, hoping to change the law.
“I love it,” father Rich Magnone said. “Couldn’t be prouder of my kid, and I appreciate the state decided to be reasonable about it.”
The rule will not affect student-athletes for this school year or the fall semester of next school year. It’s expected to take effect in January of 2026.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
