Reports surfaced yesterday that the IHSA sent an update to Athletic Directors on Wednesday saying Deputy Governor Jesse Ruiz is attempting to put together a meeting between IDPH and IHSA before next Wednesday’s scheduled board meeting.  Athletic Directors throughout Illinois are being asked to reach out to local representatives to ask for support and any help that can be provided in persuading that meeting to occur.

IHSA sent an update to ADs today. Says Deputy gov Jesse Ruiz is trying to set up a meeting between IDPH and IHSA prior to Jan. 13 board meeting. Asks ADs to reach out to local reps to solicit support for the meeting.

Not great, but more positive than I expected/feared.

— Michael O’Brien (@michaelsobrien) January 6, 2021

The IHSA had asked for a meeting with the Governor’s office and IDPH before the end of 2020 but were met with no response.  Indications from Governor J.B. Pritzker during Wednesday’s daily press conference suggest that little to no response should be expected.

“It’s not like there’s no discussion that goes on about sports.  It’s just that the IHSA, which is one of many organizations in the state of Illinois,… that we have doctors and others  that we rely upon internally to help us make decisions,” Pritzker said when asked about meeting with IHSA.  “When we are at a point when it is appropriate to have a conversation with one of the organizations… we’ll do so.”