The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, where the Board approved two changes to the IHSA Officials licensing process.

Both changes are geared toward trying to recruit more new officials and retain officials who are currently licensed.

The first change lowers the price for officials when registering to officiate in more than one sport.

Previously, the IHSA charged $70 for a license in a single sport, $20 for a license in a second sport, and $15 for any additional sport licenses beyond that.

When the IHSA begins its Officials Renewal process for the 2023-24 school year on May 1, an individual can register for up to two licenses for $70, and any additional license(s) will be $10 for each additional license.

The second action aims to attract more out-of-state officials to work contests in Illinois. Under the approved changes, the cost for an officiating license for individuals who reside in a state that borders Illinois will be lowered and fall under one of two criterion:
1) If the official wants to work in the IHSA’s postseason State Series, the license cost will be $40. They will also begin one level lower than their highest level of officiating achievement in their home state.
2) If the official wants to work only regular-season contests in Illinois, the license cost will be $20 and the clinic attendance requirement will be waived.

All other IHSA officiating requirements will apply for both criterion for out-of-state officials. Nearly 300 IHSA officiating licenses have been granted to officials from border states thus far in 2022-23. Previously, the officiating license cost and requirements were the same for out-of-state officials as it was for those who reside in Illinois.

“Over the past year, the total number of IHSA officials has increased by nearly 1,000 licenses,” said IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson, who oversees the IHSA Officials Department. “We are encouraged by those gains, but also recognize that we cannot be content with them. We will continue to examine ways that we can improve the licensing process and provide greater support for the IHSA officiating community.”


ACTION
1. The Board approved a recommendation to reemploy the Associate Executive Director, Assistant Executive Directors, Director of Information Technology, and Executive Assistant.

2. The Board approved a travel allowance for Board members and IHSA administrative staff members who plan to attend the 2023 NFHS Summer Meeting in Seattle, Washington.


APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS
1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from St. Bede High School in Peru. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.

2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from St. Patrick High School in Chicago. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.

3. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from De La Salle Institute in Chicago. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.050 and its sub-sections.

4. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Rockford Christian High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.

5. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Fenwick High School in Oak Park. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.

6. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Libertyville High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.022.

7. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Newman Central Catholic High School in Sterling. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3.


DISCUSSION ITEMS
At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action was taken or action may not be required. The following is a report of those items from the April 11, 2023, agenda:

1. The Board heard a report on the 2023 Dr. Marty Hickman IHSA Foundation Golf Outing to be held on June 13 at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington. Registration for the event is now open and can be accessed here: Info & Registration

2. The Board provided feedback on the IHSA Boys & Girls Basketball State Series schedule and State Final schedule. The IHSA moved to a new State Series and State Final format in 2021-22 and signed three-year contracts with their respective State Final hosts. The IHSA Basketball Advisory Committee will meet later this month to discuss the future format and could offer potential changes to both schedules.

3. The Board discussed competitive balance and reviewed historic State Series data, including the results of the 2022-23 winter seasons.

4. The Board discussed State Series schedule accommodation requests.

5. The Executive Director presented the Board with illustrations that might be added to the IHSA Handbook for 2023-23 to provide interpretations for new by-laws.

6. The Board was made aware that the results of the IHSA Officials survey is now posted for review in the Schools Center.

7. The Board heard an update from the Executive Director on an NFHS Network initiative to provide two free Pixellot cameras to every IHSA member school.  

8. The Board heard an update from the Executive Director on the IHSA Town Hall Meeting format for the 2023-24 school year.

9. The Board heard an update from the Executive Director on the IHSA’s partnership with Teall Properties Group (TPG).