IHSA has image problem in Springfield

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 8-1 by a Senate committee Thursday, stems from incidents in which the Illinois High School Association barred newspaper photographers from football and basketball sidelines unless they agreed the images wouldn't be sold.

Those who refuse to sign such agreements have been relegated to the stands or press box.

"There's an old saying, 'It's not about money, it's about principle,'" said state Sen. James DeLeo, a Chicago Democrat and the measure's sponsor. "Well, this is a clash over money and principle."

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.

Marty Hickman, IHSA's executive director, sent a proposal to the Illinois Press Association this week that would allow full access if newspapers "give away pictures of IHSA State Final events."

During testimony Thursday, Hickman said he'd also allow newspapers to sell those photos for at-cost value only.

Illinois Press Association Executive Director Dave Bennett said any form of restriction likely wouldn't fly with association board members. The Daily Herald is a member of the Illinois Press Association.

The bottom line, Bennett said, is newspapers should be able to do whatever they want with their products.

"We do not believe the IHSA owns Illinois high school athletics," Bennett said. "The public owns Illinois high school athletics."

Lawmakers spent an hour listening to heated testimony from both organizations, neither of which claims it is out to get rich off photo sales.

Sen. Brad Burzynski, a DeKalb-area Republican, was the lone committee member to vote against the proposal, saying it should be settled by a pending court case.

But Sen. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat, called the IHSA's photo restrictions a "roadblock" for families or schools who want to buy pictures.

"The more I hear about this, the more obvious this is to me that we need legislation," Garrett said.

If made law, Bennett said any further restrictions attempted by the IHSA would be immediately taken to court.

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