Illinois Concussion Bill Signed into Law

With the Chicago Bears playing field in the background, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the Concussion bill into law today at Soldier Field. This law will require that youth athletes be pulled from practice/game situations if they are found to be displaying signs/symptoms of a concussion. The player will not be able to return to play until they have been evaluated by trained medical personnel.

The Brain Injury Association of Illinois has been preparing sports concussion awareness and training material for distribution in preparation of the law being implemented. The materials will be distributed to school districts and park districts. The BIA of Illinois can provide educational/training presentations to school and park districts. The Brain Injury Association is able to provide continuing education for athletic trainers and Illinois educators. Please contact the BIA office if you are interested in receiving additional information on sports concussion and injury prevention, info@biail.org or (800)699-6443.The Concussion legislation [HB 200 - Senate Amendment (SAM) #1], was passed at the end of May by both chambers of the legislature, and was awaiting the Governor's signature.





The law makes it mandatory for school boards in the state to work with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to develop clear guidelines to educate coaches, student athletes and their parents, including:
1. Requiring school boards to adopt a policy regarding student athlete concussions and head injuries, and ensuring that policy be in compliance with the protocols, policies, and by-laws of the IHSA;
2. Information on the school board's concussion and head injury policy must be a part of any agreement, contract, code, or other written instrument that a school district requires a student athlete and his or her parents or guardian to sign before participating in practice or interscholastic competition;
3. The IHSA shall make available to all school districts, including elementary school districts, education materials, such as visual presentations and other written materials, that describe the nature and risk of concussions and head injuries.


In concert with HB 200, the IHSA Board of Directors (on April 19, 2011) had approved the new policy regarding return to play guidelines after a student-athlete has been diagnosed with a concussion. The policy now requires that "In cases when an athlete is not cleared to return to play the same day as he/she is removed from a contest following a possible head injury (i.e., concussion), the athlete shall not return to play or practice until the athlete is evaluated by and receives written clearance from a licensed health care provider to return to play."

Park districts are authorized and encouraged to make available to residents and users of their facilities educational materials describing the nature and risks of concussions and head injuries, including the advisability of removal of youth athletes from a practice or game if they exhibit signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion. The intent of these materials is to assist in education coaches, youth athletes, parents and others about the nature and risks of head injuries.

 

About the Brain Injury Association of Illinois

The Brain Injury Association of Illinois provides information and resources to individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury, as well as to families, professionals and other members in the community. Services are are available to both the civilian and military populations. The BIA of Illinois provides educational programs, injury prevention programs, public awareness, summer camp program, advocacy and support programs.

For additional information, call (800)699-6443 or e-mail info@biail.org. Visit the website, www.biail.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BIAofIL and Twitter, www.twitter.com/BrainInjuryAssn. Our educational films can be viewed at http://www.braininjurytoolbox.com/.
  

Brain Injury and the Celebrity Apprentice

I've always been a fan of Celebrity Apprentice, but have been very disturbed watching it this season. Gary Busey has a brain injury, and I have been disappointed in the manner in which he has been treated by his teammates who clearly have no understanding or awareness of brain injury. Personally, I feel that the episodes could be used as a training tool for "how not to interact" with someone who has had a brain injury. In all fairness, I don't believe Gary Busey's teammates intentionally set out to hurt someone, but as too often the case, they did so because of lack of education and awareness. Had they understood brain injury and its impact on the person it touches, I believe their behavior and actions would have been more effective and positive towards Gary Busey.


The Brain Injury Association works hard day in and day out to raise the level of brain injury awareness and education around the country......and Celebrity Apprentice has confirmed that there continues to be a need for raising the public's awareness and education about brain injuy. This is the mission of the Brain Injury Association of Illinois, the Brain Injury Association of America, and the other BIA affiliates around the country. Brain Injury has not only impacted on Gary Busey's life, but also Representative Gifford, our military service men and women, professional athletes, student athletes, children and adults of all ages......it can happen in an instant and it can change lives forever.


I have posted this note on the BIA of Illinois Facebook page, and welcome your comments. I have also been sending out Twitter messages via www.twitter.com/BrainInjuryAssn.


My brother in law likes to share the quote, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Well today I have decided to reach out and do something....we all work hard every day to raise the level of brain injury awareness and education, and in union our voices must continue to carry the message that brain injury can happen to anyone of us at anytime.


At least today, I hope that I can help someone more clearly understand brain injury, and in turn hope that they may show more understanding to the next person they meet who has sustained a brain injury.


About the Brain Injury Association of Illinois

The Brain Injury Association of Illinois provides information and resources to individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury, as well as to families, professionals and other members in the community. The BIA of Illinois also provides educational programs, injury prevention, public awareness, summer camp program, advocacy and support programs. For additional information, call (800)699-6443 or e-mail info@biail.org. Visit the website, www.biail.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BIAofIL and Twitter, www.twitter.com/BrainInjuryAssn.