January 19, 2006
In light of recent events, I can reach no other conclusion except that HB4596 is a vindictive act by Rep. Kurt Granberg. He is upset about another issue and has written a piece of legislation that is designed to harass the Illinois High School Association.
While Rep. Granberg stated in news reports that he is “curious,” he has never contacted the IHSA regarding the financial arrangements or requested any related information. We have been in touch with almost all the schools in Rep. Granberg’s district, and not one is supportive of this legislation.
Clearly there are times when elected officials will have legitimate inquiries regarding interscholastic activities. It is not uncommon for an elected official to contact me to gather additional information or to share a concern. We have cooperated every time we have been asked to meet with committees or legislators. We have cooperated with a biennial compliance audit mandated by the legislature in 1995. However, no organization or business should be the target of this type of retaliatory legislation.
The IHSA is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), organization founded in 1900. Since its inception, the Illinois High School Association has been a voluntary organization for high schools in Illinois. In over 100 years of service, the IHSA has provided leadership to its member schools and governance in the state’s interscholastic programs, programs which have served countless millions of students. This legislation, however, would severely impact a large number of the more than 300,000 high school students in Illinois who participate in their school’s interscholastic programs.