The Illinois High School Association filed an appeal Monday hoping to reverse a judge’s decision to let Chicago Public Schools athletes run in the state cross country meet.
Cook County Judge Neil H. Cohen ruled Friday that all CPS cross-country teams should be allowed to run in the state sectionals. The teams competed and 13 runners and Mather’s cross-country team advanced to the state finals.
CPS cross-country teams were removed from the state meets due to the Chicago Teachers Union strike. They missed the regional round of the state series but were place in the sectionals after the judge’s decision.
IHSA rules prohibit teams from competing in the postseason if the state series begins while the district is on strike. Cohen called the policy vague.
“I’m tired of adults making decisions that rob children of their childhood and their dreams,” Cohen said. “It isn’t going to hurt the IHSA to let these kids run.”
The state cross-country meet is this weekend and the CPS runners will participate. It’s likely the IHSA is challenging the decision to keep its strike policy intact in the future.
