Earlier this year, a proposed piece of legislation House Bill 3037, often referred to as the Right to Play bill sparked a statewide conversation about who controls athletic participation for high school athletes in Illinois. The bill sought to allow student-athletes to compete for both their school team and a non-school (club or travel) team in the same sport during the same season, effectively overriding long-standing eligibility rules enforced by the Illinois High School Association.
While the bill ultimately did not continue through the legislative process, its impact was significant. Rather than allowing participation rules to be dictated by statute, the IHSA responded by revisiting and modifying its own policies to address many of the concerns raised by lawmakers, families, and athletes.
The Issue That Sparked the Bill
Under previous IHSA rules, athletes were largely prohibited from competing in non-school events during their high school season in the same sport. Violations could result in ineligibility, forcing athletes to choose between school competition and club opportunities such as tournaments, showcases, or nationally sanctioned events.
Supporters of HB3037 argued that these restrictions were increasingly out of step with modern athlete development, particularly as club sports play a larger role in training, exposure, and recruiting. The bill applied pressure on the IHSA to modernize its approach or risk having those decisions removed from its control entirely.
IHSA’s Response: Rule Changes Instead of Legislation
In response to the proposed legislation and the broader conversation it generated, the IHSA chose to adapt its rules rather than allow state law to dictate eligibility standards. In a recent vote, the IHSA approved a proposal that expands non-school competition opportunities while maintaining guardrails around the high school season.
Under the new rule:
Student-athletes are allowed to compete in two non-school competitions in the same sport during the high school season
A third non-school competition is permitted if it is sanctioned by that sport’s National Governing Body
These changes go into effect on January 14, 2026
This adjustment represents a meaningful shift from the previous model, providing athletes with increased flexibility while preserving the IHSA’s role as the governing authority.
Why This Matters
The updated rule acknowledges many of the concerns raised by HB3037 without fully opening the door to unlimited dual participation. It strikes a compromise, giving athletes more opportunity, schools clearer guidance, and the IHSA continued oversight.
Just as importantly, it demonstrates how legislative pressure can influence policy even when a bill does not become law. HB3037 didn’t pass, but it succeeded in forcing a reevaluation of rules that many felt no longer reflected the realities of today’s athletic landscape.
The Bigger Picture
This moment marks a turning point in how high school athletics are governed in Illinois. Rather than a binary choice between strict restrictions and full deregulation, the IHSA’s revised rule offers a middle ground—one that expands opportunity while keeping school sports at the center of the student-athlete experience.
As these changes take effect in 2026, schools, coaches, athletes, and families will need to stay informed and aligned. The conversation around access, development, and balance in high school sports is far from over, but this update shows that progress can happen without legislation when governing bodies are willing to adapt.
