Runners get green light

Cook County Judge Neil H. Cohen ruled Friday that all Chicago Public Schools cross-country teams should be allowed to run in the state sectionals Saturday.

The teams were removed from the state meets due to the Chicago Teachers Union strike. They missed out on regionals last weekend.

Illinois High School Association rules prohibit teams from competing in the postseason if the state series begins while the district is on strike. Cohen called the policy vague.

“I’m tired of adults making decisions that rob children of their childhood and their dreams,” Cohen said. “It isn’t going to hurt the IHSA to let these kids run.”

“I was just holding out hope this would happen,” Jones cross-country runner Ian Bacon said. “Now we have the opportunity we’ve been looking for this entire time.”

Simeon’s football team received a waiver after appealing to the IHSA board last week. It allowed the team into the state playoffs despite playing only seven games. IHSA bylaws mandate at least eight games.

“Why is an exception made for football teams to compete when it’s not made for individual sports, like cross-country,” Cohen said. “You’re cherry-picking who you waive policies for.’’

CPS cross-country runners lost an appeal to the IHSA board Friday, which led to the suit. Administrators from Jones, Lane, Lincoln Park, Mather, Payton, Solorio and Taft brought the appeal. The board voted unanimously against it.

“The board was steadfast in following the language of the strike policy, as they have done throughout this recent CPS strike, and in past incidences involving other schools and districts on strike,” IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said.

Last week, a Cook County judge denied a temporary restraining order sought by the Jones parents. The judge ruled Jones’ crosscountry teams couldn’t compete in the regional meet during the ongoing strike. ✶