High school student-athletes in Chicago have had an emergency injunction filed on their behalf as a recent teacher strike has put their seasons and playoff chances in jeopardy.
The injunction was filed against the Illinois High School Association and Chicago Public Schools, as the student-athletes and their families claim that IHSA is denying its member schools from statewide competition and state playoffs.
The ongoing strike has impacted nearly 100 schools. The possibility exists that more student-athletes could be affected as the strike drags on, because a certain amount of games and practices are required to be eligible to compete.
Aside from playoff competition, a number of schools are fearful that their regular seasons are in jeopardy. The injunction was filed after discussions with the IHSA failed to come to resolution.
"Frankly, the adults who are in control have the ability to make it work it's a matter of whether they're going to make it happen," attorney Kevin Sterling told the local ABC affiliate.
"This fight that we're trying to fight, it's not just for us it's for all of the student athletes that may find themselves in this situation," said student athlete Ian Bacon.
The IHSA said each sport is different. For instance, football requires a team that hasn't played for seven days to have three days of official practice before a competition. That rule is something that would not be possible for Simeon before this weekend.
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson released a statement on the TRO filing that read:
"The IHSA Board of Directors has established a Strike Policy consistent with Illinois State Board of Education policies regarding student participation in school activities during a strike. The IHSA staff has consistently enforced that policy. Specific issues concerning this matter and any litigation has been referred to our legal counsel and we will refrain from further comment until they have been resolved."
