Pritzker Issues Restrictions For High School Sports

Governor Pritzker announced new restrictions for all high school sports on Wednesday. 

To be honest, it's kind of complicated, which is probably good because different sports obviously carry different risks so a one-size-fits-all plan would not have been a good idea.

You can read the original release here on Illinois' coronavirus website, and a more detailed explanation here.

The governor has created three risk levels for the type of sport and four levels at which a sport can compete.

The three risk levels are low, medium, and high (I'll get to which one's are what in a minute) and the 4 levels of play are as follows:

• LEVEL 1 - Only non-contact practices are allowed and they must be outside
• LEVEL 2 -  Indoor and outdoor practices and intra-team scrimmages are allowed but no competitive play
• LEVEL 3 - Intra-conference, intra-region, or intra-league play is allowed. Only low-risk sports can play state or league championships.
• LEVEL 4 - Sports are played as normal.

Beginning August 15th, low-risk sports can be played up to level 3, medium-risk sports can be played up to level 2, and high-risk sports can only be played at level 1.

Here's how it will affect sports in the NIC-10 and surrounding area:

HIGH-RISK SPORTS - Currently at Level 1 - Only allowed outside, non-contact practices:

• Competitive Cheer
• Competitive Dance
• Football
• Wrestling

MEDIUM-RISK SPORTS - Currently at Level 2 - Indoor practice is allowed. Inter-team scrimmages allowed, no competitive play.

• Basketball
• Soccer
• Volleyball

LOW-RISK SPORTS - Currently at Level 3 - Normal play and practice is allowed and since they are low-risk, will be allowed to have championship tournaments.

• Baseball (Players must be 6-feet apart in dugout or in bleachers)
• Bass Fishing
• Bowling
• Cross Country (number of teams must be limited)
• Golf
• Sideline Spirit (6-feet apart, no stunts or lifts)
• Softball (Players must be 6-feet apart in dugout or in bleachers)
• Swimming/Diving (with lane restrictions)
• Tennis
• Track and Field (with delayed starts, every other track, and cleaning of equipment)

The plan officially goes into effect August 15th. The governor can raise or lower levels of play as infection numbers dictate.

The IHSA has not issued any comment as of yet. Some believe that a few fall sports, like football, could be moved to the spring. The IHSA has said they will issue a statement in the following days.

UPDATE: Football has been moved to spring.