INTERSCHOLAR ATHLETICS-STUDENT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Kam Buckner and 2 co-sponsors

Allows students in State Board–approved online programs who meet residency and enrollment criteria to try out for and participate on their public school’s interscholastic teams sta

Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner

Bill Summary — HB 3211 (INTERSCHOLAR ATHLETICS‑STUDENT)

Status: Enacted (Filed without Governor’s signature, effective immediately 2025-06-20)
Introduced: Feb 18, 2025 (Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.) — Co‑sponsors: Rep. Kam Buckner, Rep. Regan Deering
Statute amended: Adds 105 ILCS 25/1.30 (Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act)
Companion bill: SB 2573

Purpose / Intent

HB 3211 requires organizations that promote, sponsor, regulate, or otherwise provide interscholastic athletics in Illinois to allow certain students to participate in a public school’s interscholastic athletic practices and events. The aim is to ensure students enrolled in approved online learning programs and otherwise connected to a district school are eligible to join that school’s teams beginning in the 2025–2026 school year.

Key provisions

Adds a new Section 1.30 to the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act (105 ILCS 25).

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, any association or entity involved in interscholastic athletics in Illinois must allow a student to participate as a member of a school team if the student meets all five conditions:

Is listed in the State Board of Education’s statewide student information system.
Is included in the district’s evidence‑based funding calculation or submitted enrollment data under Section 18‑8.15 of the School Code.
Is attending the school for at least one course.
Resides within the school district.
Is using an online learning platform accredited and approved by the State Board of Education.

Effective date: the Act takes effect upon becoming law (filed without governor’s signature and effective immediately on 2025-06-20).

Who is affected

Students: Expands eligibility for students enrolled in State Board‑approved/accredited online learning platforms who also meet residency and enrollment criteria, enabling them to try out for and participate on their district school teams.

School districts: Responsible for documenting/confirming students’ inclusion in statewide systems and enrollment/funding data and confirming course attendance and residency.

Interscholastic athletic associations and governing bodies (e.g., statewide/regional athletic organizations): Must comply with the statutory eligibility requirement and adjust bylaws/eligibility verification procedures accordingly.

Athletic programs/teams: Potentially larger eligible athlete pools and administrative changes for roster verification.

Practical and policy considerations

Enforcement/verification: Associations and districts will need procedures to verify the five required conditions (SBE system records, enrollment data, course attendance, residency, and platform accreditation).

Competitive balance: Expanding eligibility to accredited online learners may affect team composition and competitive fairness; associations may need to revise rules or certification processes to address concerns.

No funding changes: The bill does not provide new funding; it references existing evidence‑based funding/enrollment reporting under the School Code.

Legislative timeline (selected)

Introduced: 2/18/2025

Passed both chambers and enrolled: May 2025

Sent to Governor: 5/22/2025

Filed without Governor’s signature / Effective immediately: 6/20/2025

For reference, the bill adds statutory language at 105 ILCS 25/1.30 (new) and applies statewide to any entity involved in interscholastic athletics.