The dispute between the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois High School Association continues, but the state’s largest public school system says it will follow the governor’s advice to delaying the high school basketball season.
Chicago Public Schools announced Thursday night that its Chicago Public League basketball teams will not play this winter, as COVID-19 cases rise across all areas of the state and hospital capacity reaches critical lows.
CPS also says it is sidelining wrestling and elementary school basketball, but it will allow cheerleading, bowling and boys’ swimming to continue as those sports are considered low-risk.
The IHSA announced on Wednesday that it would not follow recommended guidance from IDPH to delay the high school basketball season to the spring.
The Illinois State Board of Education sent a memo to schools saying they recommend public schools follow the state’s advice, also noting that schools could face legal liability if they go on their own.
The state has not said anything about further restrictions on sports, including a potential loss of state school funding, for districts which go against the state health guidance.
