Illinois Concussion Bill Fails First Vote

Mundelein Review

http://mundelein.suntimes.com/news/18993217-418/illinois-concussion-bill-fails-first-vote.html

State lawmakers on Wednesday preliminarily voted against a bill that would limit youth football practices in Illinois to one day of full-contact tackle per week.

Six members of the house education committee opposed the bill introduced in January by state Rep. Carol Sente. Five supported the measure and two voted “present.”

If approved, the bill would limit high school and middle school football programs to only one full-contact practice per week in an effort to curb head injuries. Sente introduced the measure after constituent Lawrence Robbins, a neurologist, compiled research suggesting long-term injuries begin from repeated low-impact blows to the head, then approached her with the findings.

Sente gets one more attempt on Thursday before the bill dies. She said she’s committed to the topic and “will not drop the issue.”

“The arguments my colleagues posed were things I believe they heard from their local coaches,” Sente said. “I had an answer to everything. I plan to be more persuasive tomorrow.”

Sente said one opponent mentioned being fair and a need to wrap all sports practices into one comprehensive bill. Sente said she proposed taking small steps because a comprehensive bill would take too long and would still leave ideas out.