Illinois Legislature passes bill protecting officials

[FredFan7]

Makes violence against a sports official an aggravated battery--a felony. Only one no vote in the house, all in favor in the senate. Governor still has to sign it, but both chambers pass it with veto proof margins.

Bravo Illinois general assembly.

[ljudge]

Here are the specifics from an e-mail I received today from NASO....

(RACINE, Wis.) - The Illinois Senate and House approved two bills this afternoon that protect sports officials at all levels of competition from threats and assaults.
Both House Bills 4023 and 4120 passed unanimously in the Illinois Senate. Only one no vote prevented both measures from passing unanimous in the House as well.
HB4023 increases the severity of assaults against sports officials to Aggravated Assault, a felony offense. Persons convicted of aggravated Assault could face as much as three years in the state penitentiary.
HB4120 establishes a mandatory minimum fine of $1000 for battery of a sports official -- $2000 for a second or subsequent offense. Approved twice previously by the General Assembly during the last six years, HB4120 was vetoed each time by then Gov. Jim Ryan.
"Officials at all levels in Illinois today applaud the General Assembly for their actions to bring comprehensive protection to sports officials," said Jim Nelson, New Berlin, Ill., a collegiate and high school level soccer official. "We would be remiss if we didn't single out the leadership of the bill sponsors, Representative Paul Froelich (R-Schaumburg) and Senator Edward Maloney (D-Chicago), himself a basketball official. We are very hopeful that Governor Blagojevich will act quickly to approve the bills."
The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) was also quick to add praise to the bill sponsors.
"We must remember that the previous Governor vetoed this legislation despite overwhelming approval by both Houses in the past," warned NASO President Barry Mano. "We are appreciative that the legislature did not give up on this important issue and is presenting to Governor Blagojevich this version."
Eighteen states have enacted legislation specifically created to protect sports officials.
"Assaults against officials are a serious matter and they are impacting recruitment efforts," said NASO President Barry Mano. "Officials are quitting early. Getting young people interested in officiating is more difficult because they see the poor behavior going unpunished. Having this measure of protection will send a strong message that physically assaulting an official will not be tolerated."
"The efforts to pass these bills have always been about promoting fair play and sportsmanship at all levels of sport," added Nelson. "When we lose perspective about sports being played for fun and enjoyment, we lose the life-long benefits that sports bring us."
The new law affects more than 8,000 men, women, boys and girls officiating sporting events from recreational programs to professional contests.
For more information about legislation protecting sports officials, visit http://www.naso.org.

[Snake~eyes]

This bill is happening or has already been passed in many states. Its good to hear too.