Morris State Representative Pam Roth (R-Morris) knew she was going to be asked to vote in Springfield on Wednesday. While the Illinois General Assembly had more on its agenda than House Bill 1205, she did her best to get a consensus from her constituents before heading downstate to weigh in on matters.
One of the measures being discussed on Wednesday was what has become known as the Football Practice Hitting Limitation Act. If made law, it would eliminate full contact hitting by youth and high school teams in the offseason and then be limited to just twice a week during the season. Additionally, another detail in Bill 1205 includes mandatory concussion training for coaches.
On Monday afternoon, Roth was at Morris Community High School, along with administration and football coaches from Morris, Minooka, Coal City, Seneca and all throughout Roth's 75th district.
"There were probably about 25 people there," Roth said. "I felt it was important for me to articulate what was important to them. I thought it would be good to talk to them as their representative."
Morris Athletic Director George Dergo said that Roth contacted the high school to see if it was available to hold a town-hall style event at that location and he said they were happy to oblige.
"She (Roth) contacted (Superintendent) Dr. (Pat) Halloran and we talked and that's when it was decided to have it over here," Dergo said. "She wanted to present to us what was out there and wanted the opinions of the coaches. It was kind of like an open forum."