Illinois Support of Officials' Protection Legislation
RACINE, Wis. ‹ Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed two sports officials' protection
bills into law July 9, 2004, making Illinois the 19th state to pass legislation specifically
protecting referees and umpires, according to the National Association of Sports
Officials. The new laws increase the penalties for those who commit assault and/or
battery against officials.
The assault law (HB 4023) makes it aggravated assault to attack a sports official or coach
at any level in Illinois. The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2005, classifies that the
violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
The law that covers battery of umpires and referees in Illinois (HB 4120) went into effect
immediately with the governor's signature. Regardless of jail-time, it provides that a court
impose a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for a second or
subsequent offense upon anyone convicted of or placed on supervision for battery of a
sports official or coach at any level of competition.
The bills were filed by Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Arlington Heights) and Rep. Paul
Froehlich (R-Schaumburg) and sponsored by a number of representatives and senators.
Now passed, the laws affect more than 8,000 sports officials in Illinois, working games
from recreational levels to professional contests..
"The support of legislation by lawmakers in Illinois and Delaware sends a strong message
of support for officials," said NASO President Barry Mano. "Those states, along with
others that have passed similar legislation, have stepped up to recognize that an assault on
a sports official is a serious offense. I hope that their legislative efforts will aid with
officiating recruitment and retention efforts in those states."