West Cook News

River Forest Park District announced Wednesday February 16th that "One (1) parent per player will be allowed to spectate during the (basketball) game/practice."

This, following most of the season when all spectators were banned from District 90 facilities used by the River Forest Park District recreational basketball league. 

Parents of league players could spectate at Trinity High School, a non-District 90 gymnasium used by the Park District program.  The Catholic youth basketball league wrapped up their basketball season recently where no limits were imposed on masked spectators. 

Parents peer in through outside windows.

The topic gained interest when a photo posted on Facebook showed parents standing on chairs outside the Roosevelt gym window to try and get a view of the games.

Meanwhile, the Park District held an in-person wine tasting which inflamed some.  One parent on Facebook said, "How is this possible when we as parents can not attend our kids' Park District basketball games?  Sources allege District 90 Superintendent verbally denied any role in the decision to ban spectators.

110 River Forest parents signed letter to Michael Sletten asking the Park District to "revise its misinformed policy to align with the latest IPDH guidance".  The request was denied until Tuesday Feb 16th when Park District Athletic Manager, Andrew Valett updated the spectator policy to permit one spectator per player citing "improving conditions with infection and vaccination rates, and the loosening of COVID mandates/guidelines across the State".  

This update from the Park District permitting one spectator per player immediately followed the Feb 15 meeting of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) of the Illinois General Assembly which voted  9-0-2 against extending Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency rules to enforce state mask, vaccine and testing mandates.

See the updated policy below:

Wed February 16, 2022

SPECTATOR POLICY UPDATE

Due to the improving conditions with infection and vaccination rates, and the loosening of COVID mandates/guidelines across the State, the River Forest Park District is amending its Spectator Policy for our youth basketball program effective immediately. For everyone's safety and enjoyment, please respect the following guidelines:

1. One (1) parent per player will be allowed to spectate during the game/practice. Our spectator space around the basketball courts is extremely limited and will only accommodate a limited number of parents. One parent per player will allow every family the opportunity to have one parent watch their child.

2. Face masks must be worn by all participants and spectators at D90 school sites, including Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Willard Schools. The face mask must cover both the mouth and the nose.

3. Face masks are optional for participants and spectators at Trinity High School only. This requirement is contingent that the temporary restraining order on the Governor's Order regarding school masking remains in place.

4. Spectators are requested to observe physical distancing of at least 3-feet. If you wish to socialize with other spectators, please do so outside the facilities.

5. Spectators are asked to not enter the facility earlier than 5 minutes before the game, and leave no later than 5 minutes after the game.

The Park District will not have masks available at each game site, so please remember your mask.