Lawmakers endorse newspaper photo access

SPRINGFIELD - State lawmakers gave early approval to a law that would allow newspapers to continue selling pictures from high school state championship tournaments without restriction.

The proposal, approved by a Senate committee Thursday, stems from incidents in which the Illinois High School Association barred newspaper photographers from football and basketball sidelines during championship games unless they agreed the images won't be sold.

Those that refuse to sign such agreements have been relegated to the stands or press box. The IHSA, which is not a state agency, recently relaxed its policy and granted access during the girls' basketball championships. The boys' basketball championships start this weekend in Peoria.

Aside from forbidding outside restriction of photo sales, lawmakers have also proposed requiring state audits of the IHSA's policies.