Gov. J.B. Pritzker, center, at the signing of legislation to allow student athletes to be compensated | facebook.com/repchriswelch/
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, center, at the signing of legislation to allow student athletes to be compensated | facebook.com/repchriswelch/
Legislation signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that is set to go into effect later this week is a victory for student athletes and Illinois, State House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) said in a social media post.
"A victory for students," Welch said in his June 29, Facebook post. "A victory for Illinois. I am so proud of the work that went into passing this legislation to ensure student athletes receive the recognition and compensation they deserve."
State House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside)
| facebook.com/repchriswelch/
Welch thanked Pritzker, as well as Sen. Napoleon B. Harris III (D-Harvey) and House Rep. Kambium Elijah "Kam" Buckner (D-Chicago) and said the new legislation will mean a great deal to Illinois student athletes.
"As a former college athlete myself, I understand firsthand how this will benefit our student athletes, who often balance a full schedule of schoolwork with their sport, as well as their families," Welch said. "We've watched universities and coaches profit off of the talents of these young adults, and it is time we allow them to earn their fair share too."
Pritzker signed the bill allowing student athletes in the state to be compensated for use of their name, image and likeness on June 29 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Chapaign's State Farm Center in Champaign.
The law is set to go into effect Thursday, July 1, according to ABC 7's coverage of the signing.
Illinois is the first midwest state to pass an athlete endorsement bill and, once enacted, student-athletes in the state will be able to independently profit from endorsement deals, hire agents and take other compensation steps, according to the ABC 7 news report.
The new law will allow student athletes in Illinois to capitalize on their likeness and images, Northwestern defensive lineman Joe Spivak said in the news report.
"Everyone's going to have awesome opportunities to maybe give back to their own communities, you know, obviously you can support your local businesses, and giving them business, but now this could give us an opportunity to maybe endorse them and be a sponsor and really shed more light on them through social media or whatever it may be," Spivak said.
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