SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) is leading a bipartisan coalition of legislators in requesting Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health loosen COVID-19 restrictions at K-12 extracurricular events to allow for 25% audience capacity.
The letter, which contains the signatures of both Republican and Democrat members of the legislature, reads in part as follows:
“We have learned from conversations with school officials involved with the planning and execution of hosting extracurricular activities that there have in fact not been major viral outbreaks resulting from allowing previously prohibited extracurricular activities. We believe this is due to the unprecedented effort of local school officials and athletes to take the steps necessary to keep everyone safe.
We believe this same level of safety can be maintained and that outbreaks of COVID-19 can be avoided and mitigated. Therefore, we the undersigned request that grade school, junior high, and high school extracurricular events be allowed to host fans at 25% capacity of each individual gymnasium or school provided extracurricular space that hosts boys or girls school sanctioned contests.
We remain committed to honoring the requests of our constituents and believe wholeheartedly that a 25% crowd capacity and 6-foot social distance limits can be achieved safely. By taking this action immediately, you can help families make memories that would otherwise be lost and ease public pressure on school districts and local officials.”
The Illinois High School Association, the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Association of Athletic Directors, and the Illinois Principals Association have also signed the letter and support allowing 25% fan and audience capacity at extracurricular events.
For more information, please contact State Rep. Dave Severin at (618) 440-5090 or visit RepSeverin.com
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Governor JB Pritzker
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
IDPH Director Dr. Ngoze Ezike
525-535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761
Dear Governor Pritzker and Dr. Ezike
As Illinois has made steady progress toward moving out of Phase 4 COVID-19 mitigations, thousands of students of all ages are back enjoying the previously prohibited extracurricular activities that they love.
The concerns that many of us had prior to the start of previously prohibited extracurricular activities were related to the possibility of uncontrolled outbreaks of COVID-19 due to close proximity of participants, coaches, athletes, officials, and spectators.
After two full weeks in extracurricular activities, the suggested ‘incubation’ period for COVID-19 as per IDPH and CDC guidelines, we are encouraged by the results. We have learned from conversations with school officials involved with the planning and execution of hosting extracurricular activities that there have in fact not been major viral outbreaks resulting from allowing previously prohibited extracurricular activities.
We believe this is due to the unprecedented effort of local school officials and athletes to take the steps necessary to keep everyone safe. We believe this same level of safety can be maintained and that outbreaks of COVID-19 can be avoided and mitigated.
Therefore, we the undersigned request that grade school, junior high, and high school extracurricular events be allowed to host fans at 25% capacity of each individual gymnasium or school provided extracurricular space that hosts boys or girls school sanctioned contests. We feel that allowing fans at a capacity of 25% can be accomplished following stated guidelines for mask-wearing and appropriate social distancing of 6 feet. The restrictions for the distance that must be maintained in large and small gymnasiums are causing problems for participants, athletes, cheerleaders, fans, and school officials.
We further request that any distance requirements be lowered to the standard 6 feet for social distancing purposes. Following mask-wearing and social-distancing guidelines should be enough, according to IDPH and the CDC, to greatly limit the spread of COVID-19. Seniors in high school have now had their final two years in school interrupted by the pandemic. Parents and siblings have missed out on memories too many to count, and too precious to ignore.
The Illinois High School Association, the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Association of Athletic Directors, and Illinois Principals Association have signed this letter. We do not make this request frivolously.
We remain committed to honoring the requests of our constituents and believe wholeheartedly that a 25% crowd capacity and 6-foot social distance limits can be achieved safely. By taking this action immediately, you can help families make memories that would otherwise be lost and ease public pressure on school districts and local officials.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any member, association, or school official that has signed below. We look forward to your prompt reply.
Sincerely,
Dave Severin State Representative – 117th
District
Dr. Thomas Bertrand, Executive Director Illinois Association of School Boards
Dr. Brent Clark, Executive Director Illinois Association of School Administrators
Dr. Jason E. Leahy, Executive Director Illinois Principals Association
Mike Morris, Executive Director Illinois Athletic Directors Association
Craig Anderson, Executive Director Illinois High School Association
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