Illinois and Delaware Support Officials' Protection Legislation

RACINE, Wis. ‹ Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed two sports officials' protection bills into law July 9, 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.

Delaware, already among the 19 states that have laws protecting officials, is in the process of adding to its existing legislation. Delaware's Houseof Representatives and the Senate recently approved HB 382 that defines crimes against sports officials and increases protection. The bill passed the Senate June 29 and is currently awaiting the signature of Gov. Ruth Ann Minner.

"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."

Delaware's new bill provides that an individual is guilty of abuse of an official if he or she commits any of the following crimes against a sports official: reckless endangering, assault, terroristic threatening and criminal mischief. The bill also states that cases involving abuse of officials would go directly to the Court of Common Pleas, where the official would have a court-appointed advocate.

According to the synopsis of Delaware's HB 382, "The General Assembly views crimes committed against sports officials as an 'offense against the public' because sports officials are recognized authority figures and because a large segment of the population, including children, routinely attend and/or participate in organized sporting events."

Delaware's bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Bruce Reynolds (R-Bear), a high school football coach for 27 years, and Rep. Biff Lee (R-Laurel), a veteran high school football referee.

For more information about legislation protecting sports officials, visit www.naso.org.