(The Center Square) – As Illinois continues to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls sports, Republicans are making an effort to change the rules.
Critics of the policy say it is unfair to girls to allow biological male athletes to compete against them just because they identify as female.
The Illinois High School Association recently announced that it will not comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order to keep trans athletes out of girls sports. IHSA Board President Dan Tully said his organization finds itself in “an untenable position” as it seeks clarity on conflicting directions from state officials and the Trump administration.
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, is calling on the IHSA to testify before one of the House oversight committees on education after ignoring the executive order banning biological males from competing in girls’ sports.
“Their excuse that the Executive Order conflicts with state law is nonsense. Student safety and fair competition take precedence. Period. The IHSA’s lack of moral courage is shameful, and they owe young women and their parents an explanation,” Wilhour said in a statement.
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said Illinois law is all that matters.
“Ultimately, it is important to remember that we are talking about three trans athletes in the state of Illinois and what’s even more important is that those three trans athletes are children,” Cassidy told The Center Square.
Kaitlynn Wheeler was a high school and collegiate swimmer and said she now dedicates her life to defend the rights of women and girls in sports and spaces.
“One girl is one too many,” said Wheeler. “How many does it take to be exploited in locker rooms, violated in locker rooms, and have their opportunities taken away in their sport,” said Wheeler.
A federal Title IX investigation is underway in Illinois after a Deerfield mother alleged her daughter was forced to change in front of a trans student.
State Rep. Tom Weber, R-Fox Lake, has introduced a bill that would prohibit males from playing for or against a team designated for females.
“It would require public schools and colleges that have interscholastic or intercollegiate athletics to provide equal athletic opportunities for members of both sexes,” Weber said Thursday during a news conference. “The bill lays out clear requirements that schools designate sports teams as male, female or co-ed.”
