IHSA Board calls special meeting of Legislative Commission to address 2026 football start date

During its meeting on January 14, 2026, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors approved action for Board President Dan Tully to call a special meeting of the IHSA's Legislative Commission on January 27.

Based on a recommendation from the IHSA's Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, the Board is asking the Legislative Commission to consider a by-law amendment that would move the IHSA football practice start date from Monday, August 10, 2026, to Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The proposal will also seek to reinstate that all high school football players in the state participate in 12 official practices prior to being eligible to participate in an IHSA football contest.

"It is rare for the Board to call a special meeting of the Legislative Commission, underscoring the importance they place on this proposal for student-athlete safety," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "While the Board understands this change may impact summer scheduling for coaches and players, they are aligned with the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee in believing it is a necessary step to protect student-athletes."

The Legislative Commission will meet on January 27 to consider the proposal. If they approve, all IHSA member schools will have the opportunity to cast one vote on the proposal beginning on January 29. The voting will conclude on February 12, and if the proposal receives a simple majority of support, it will go into effect this August for the 2026 IHSA football season.

The IHSA membership voted in December to expand the IHSA Football Playoffs in 2026. That proposal required the season start date to move forward one week, which impacted the practice start date and required number of practices.

"The IHSA follows a democratic, member-driven process for by-law changes," said Anderson. "As such, no additional changes or proposals will be considered at this special meeting, which is being convened solely due to the significant safety concerns involved."

ACTION
1. The Board approved a recommendation to implement the following election cycle for the four new members of the Board of Directors who will represent Superintendents or Heads of School. In order to help bring balance to the Board elections, the new seats will be elected as follows:
one member elected for a three-year term
two members elected for a two-year term
one member elected for a one-year term

2. The Board approved a recommendation to update the language to IHSA Board Policy 15 based on the by-law amendment changes in December to By-law 3.101. The updated language for Policy 15:

15. GUIDELINES FOR NON-SCHOOL COMPETITION
During the school term, special permission may be granted to permit a student to compete in a non-school event during the school season in two competitions and a third competition which is directly sanctioned by the National Governing Body or its junior or official Illinois affiliate. No student may participate in more than three (3) non-school competitions during a sports season. Schools must submit a request for approval in the Schools Center and provide a National Governing Body or its junior or official Illinois affiliate URL for the 3rd event. An event is limited to no more than five (5) contests conducted within seven (7) consecutive days.

3. The Board approved a recommendation to approve a Cooperative Agreement in the sport of 8-player football between Bement High School and Cerro Gordo High School that will encompass the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS
Appeals 1-5 were held with the IHSA Hearing Board, a subset of the IHSA Board of Directors, virtually on January 8, 2026:

1. The Board sustained the Executive Director's ruling on a student from Illinois Valley Central in Chillicothe. The student was ruled ineligible in one sport for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.042.

2. The Board sustained the Executive Director's ruling on a student from Larkin in Elgin. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030.

3. The Board sustained the Executive Director's ruling on a student from Mt. Carmel in Chicago. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030.

4. The Board sustained the Executive Director's ruling on a student from Rock Island High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030.

5. The Board sustained the Executive Director's ruling on a student from Palatine High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.047.

6. The Board sustained the Executive Director's ruling on a student from Palatine High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.047.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the January 14, 2026, agenda:

1. The Board discussed the by-law amendments that were passed by IHSA member schools in December, including which of the 12 by-laws will require Board interpretations and the implementation of each.

2. The Board reviewed and discussed letters from administrators at Camp Point Central High School and Coal City High School regarding the IHSA membership vote to expand the football playoffs in 2026.

3. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the NFHS Winter Meeting in early January.

4. The Board heard a report from staff members on the recent Let's Connect meeting hosted by the IHSA in Rosemont.

5. The Board heard a report on the nomination process for the 2026 IHSA All-State Academic Team. The nomination deadline is February 13. Learn more about the nomination process here.