Illinois has emerged as a fresh battleground in the intensifying debate over transgender athletes in girls’ sports. While the state pushes forward with inclusive policies, Republicans are ramping up efforts to reverse them.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has openly rejected President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at barring transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Instead, the IHSA points to state law requiring gender identity-based participation.
“As a result of the foregoing, compliance with the Executive Order could place the IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa,” IHSA Board President Dan Tully stated in a letter addressed to state GOP lawmakers.
State Law Versus Federal Mandate: IHSA Caught in the Middle
Illinois is following Maine’s lead, leveraging human rights laws to oppose the federal directive banning biological males from girls’ sports teams. The IHSA insists that it is navigating a legal tightrope.
Tully noted that the IHSA is now in “an untenable position” due to conflicting guidance from state leaders and the Trump administration. The organization stressed, “There is a growing narrative seeking to politicize the IHSA’s response. However, as it plainly explains in the copy of the letter provided below, the IHSA is seeking clarity on conflicting state and federal law so that we can remain in compliance.”
GOP Lawmakers Demand Action, Call for Local Resolutions
Republican lawmakers are not standing down. In March, they questioned the IHSA’s stance after Trump’s executive order. Trans athletes have been allowed in Illinois girls’ sports since 2011, but many want that to change.
Rep. Blaine Wilhour, who led the GOP’s response, urged school districts to take a stand. “I think every school district needs to make it clear that we are protecting the sanctity of girls sports, and we believe in local control of those decisions,” Wilhour said. “I would demand that all of your local districts take this stand and do that. Because when push comes to shove, we win on these issues, but we just need people to be bold and step out there and do the right thing.”
Republican Criticism Mounts Against Governor and Federal Funding Threat
Wilhour directly blamed Gov. JB Pritzker and the Democratic-led legislature for enabling transgender inclusion. He called for federal intervention, even suggesting funding cuts.
“The whole policy is sick. Either you believe in fair competition or you don’t. The Democrat Party today, and specifically JB Pritzker, does not believe in fair competition. They put their woke ideology over protecting girls in sports,” Wilhour said.
He added, “[The Trump administration is] going to have to engage here, and the leverage that they’ve got is federal funding. We take millions in federal funding from the government every year. And we don’t really savor the situation where that would be withheld. … But I’ll take my chances with doing the right thing. … Banning boys from participating in girls sports is the right thing to do, so we need to do the tough things to make it happen.”
Wilhour further urged the IHSA to defy state law and implement a ban on transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
Parallel Battles: Maine’s Defiance Sparks Federal Retaliation
Similar conflict is unfolding in Maine. School District 70 defied state law to align with Trump’s order, resulting in federal funding cuts and a lawsuit from the Department of Justice. Wilhour looks to replicate this model in Illinois.
Civil Rights Complaint Triggers Federal Investigation in Illinois
A federal Title IX probe has begun after Nicole Georgas, a mother from Deerfield, filed a complaint against Deerfield Public Schools District 109. She alleged that her 13-year-old daughter was forced to change in a locker room with a transgender student.
District 109 faces scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. Georgas detailed the incident at a recent board meeting, claiming it occurred after her daughter refused to change during PE class due to the presence of a biological male.
District officials responded, maintaining compliance with state law. “Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity,” the district said.
They added, “The district and the board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law. The district and the board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child’s well-being and participation.”
