October 8, 2003
BLOOMINGTON - The Illinois Supreme Court Tuesday (Oct. 7) ordered the Fourth District Appellate Court to vacate its judgment in Monts v. Illinois High School Association.
The Supreme Court instructed the appellate court that "In light of the suggestion that Isaac Monts has graduated from Pontiac High School and will forever remain ineligible to participate in interscholastic sports at the high school, the appellate court is directed to reconsider whether remand to the trial court for further proceedings is appropriate or whether the issue(s) are now moot."
Monts sued the IHSA after being declared ineligible at Pontiac High School for noncompliance with IHSA By-law 6.010. The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court granted summary judgment on behalf of IHSA. Monts appealed and the appellate court ruled that the circuit court be required to hear the case on its merits. The appellate court's decision was appealed by IHSA to the Illinois Supreme Court, prompting its order requiring that the appellate court vacate its decision.