Brain Injury Association of Illinois: 2011-07-24

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/.