Metro East Sun

Wood River Township Supervisor Mike Babcock says Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker's limiting of high school, youth and adult recreational sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic is not supported by science. 

Just as the Illinois High School Association board of directors was preparing to issue a high school sports schedule, Pritzker announced a set of COVID-19 restrictions, according to a July 29, Chicago Sun-Times article.

Football, boxing, wrestling, competitive cheerleading and dance are limited to no-contact practice and training, according to state COVID-19 guidelines. High school football has been rescheduled for February through May.

Activities are classified into either higher risk, medium risk or lower risk and Levels 1, 2, 3 or 4.

For example, high-risk sports can play at Level 1 while medium risk sports can play at Level 1 and 2. Medium-risk sports include basketball, soccer, water polo, flag football, wheelchair basketball and volleyball.

Babcock, a former GOP candidate for the Illinois House and Senate, issued a statement in response to Pritzker’s statewide rules.

“I don't know what his thinking is and I don't know where his studies are coming from,” said Babcock, who ran for a Senate seat eight years ago and a House seat two years ago. “Obviously, there are people playing baseball right now with contact who are getting the COVID-19, and it's a serious thing. There's no doubt about it but to shut down high school sports? 

"I have seen and heard statistics on the younger generation who are exposed to COVID-19 and they are hardly seeing any symptoms and all of that. I understand stopping the spread but their likelihood of being injured by it or somehow fatally wounded? I don't see that taking place.” 

As of Sept. 18, Illinois has reported 270,327 COVID-19 cases and 8,411 fatalities, according to the Illinois Department of Health.

“These restrictions are having a huge ripple effect in the state of Illinois," Babcock added. "That's for sure. The state of Missouri is moving on. They are doing things differently. They are drawing out all the businesses and, quite frankly, I can't tell you how many people have said they wish they could move their business to Missouri.”

According to media reports, Missouri has implemented no statewide limitations on social gatherings and businesses. However, 6 feet of social distancing is required. Retail businesses that take place indoors are limited to 25% capacity. Gov. Mike Parsons reportedly is leaving it up to local governments to impose stricter coronavirus rules, such as mask mandates.