Sens. Kotowski, Raoul praise Gov. Rauner for signing youth concussion legislation.
Sens. Kotowski, Raoul praise Gov. Rauner for signing youth concussion legislation.
State Sens. Dan Kotowski (D-IL) and Kwame Raoul (D-IL) on Tuesday lauded Gov. Bruce Rauner's decision to sign strict new youth concussion legislation.
Kotowski co-sponsored the bill introduced by Raoul.
"Concussions can have a serious impact on a student's performance on the field and in the classroom," Kotowski said. "These new guidelines protect students from the potential long-term effects a concussion can have if it is not treated properly. I commend Sen. Raoul for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him as we learn more about the side effects of concussions."
The new law expands current requirements so that all children participating in school sponsored athletic activities are protected at the elementary, middle and high school levels and at public, private and charter schools.
The requirements include having emergency plans in place to deal with severe injuries that arise during sporting events, designating a concussion oversight team of health care professionals to develop and implement concussion policies and following Illinois High School Association protocols for taking student athletes out of a practice or game and allowing them to return after a concussion.
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