Illinois legislators criticize IHSA response on transgender sports policy

(The Center Square) – House Republican Leader state Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, called the Illinois High School Association’s response to the GOP’s letter over biological males competing against biological females in sports “late” and “weak,” a sentiment echoed by several other Republicans.

Republicans sent a letter to the IHSA on March 18 asking for their position after President Donald Trump issued an executive order prohibiting biological boys and men from competing against biological girls and women in sports. Last week, the ISHA responded. 

“The IHSA has once again chosen deflection over direction, and ambiguity over action. Their response is not just late – it’s weak. Saying, ‘It’s not our problem,’ doesn’t serve the students of this state. It’s not leadership – it’s a cop-out,” McCombie said.

State Rep. Reagan Deering, R-Decatur, sponsors House Bill 1117, which seeks to ban biological males from participating in female sports. Deering criticized the IHSA, saying it has taken a stance that fails to uphold fairness for women.

“None of us Republicans were satisfied with their response. We pressed them on their plan to align with federal policy, which recognizes the truth that there are two sexes – male and female. [When it comes to sports], this is fundamentally about safety and fairness. We want our girls to be protected. We want them to continue being treated fairly, as guaranteed under Title IX,” said Deering. “The IHSA responded by basically saying, ‘Sorry, we’re in an untenable position.’” 

In its response, the IHSA emphasized it’s a private, non-profit organization that doesn’t receive state or federal funding, but Deering argued there’s a direct link between school districts and IHSA sports.

“I thought it was quite interesting that they said, in the middle of the letter, that school districts are responsible for deciding whether or not transgender athletes can play. I picked up the phone and called my own superintendent, and he was shocked – because the IHSA has put out a policy to school districts stating that if they receive a request for a transgender athlete to compete in the sport of their gender identity, as opposed to their biological sex, the district must provide multiple documents to the IHSA, and they make the final determination,” said Deering. “It’s a flat out lie.”

“It should also be noted that the policy in question applies only to state series competition sponsored by the IHSA,” the letter states, “IHSA member schools determine participation opportunities for transgender students during the regular season.” 

The IHSA response came a month after Republicans asked for answers following Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order.

McCombie urged state leaders to work with federal officials for clarity before a student gets hurt.

“This is not about politics but student safety, and delaying clarity on this issue only prolongs the problem. If state law contradicts federal law, then the path forward is to work in good faith to resolve that conflict – not hide from it and risk losing federal dollars,” McCombie said. 

Deering told The Center Square Republicans are frustrated with the IHSA’s response.

“I have seen all over social media constituents of mine, citizens all across the state of Illinois that are absolutely outraged about [IHSA’s] stance here,” said Deering. 

IHSA Board President Dan Tully and Executive Director Craig Anderson said complying with the executive order could conflict with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa. In the letter, they said they desire to comply with the law. 

Deering argued that Illinois’ inclusion of gender identity as a protected class in the Human Rights Act is an “abomination.”

“I’d like to see school districts take a stand and remove themselves from IHSA membership. Of course, it will take many school districts working together to send that strong message,” said Deering. 

The Trump administration sued the state of Maine for not complying with the government’s push to ban biological males from girls and women’s sports.