Lake County Gazette

Republican state House hopeful Thomas McCullagh puts himself in the shoes of the student-athletes he sees now being denied the opportunity to pursue their dreams by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s hardline stance.

“He’s so cavalier in the way he’s shutting things down,” McCullagh told the Lake County Gazette. “The reality is some of these kids get scholarships from playing sports and I know kids I grew up with that would never have had the chance to go to college without being able to play. He’s not taking any of that into account with the way he’s just shutting things down.”

Pritzker recently doubled down on his decision not to allow most student-athletes to take the field over COVID-19 concerns, sparking protests from parents, students and coaches all across the state. In addition, the Illinois State High School Association fired off a letter to Pritzker requesting that they be allowed “to resume control over determining the resumption of sports and activities.” Currently, the two sides are allowing teams across the state to practice this month under specific COVID-19 guidelines

Running against Democrat Meg Loughran Cappel in the 49th District, McCullagh said Pritzker’s actions are part of a disturbing pattern.

“It’s the same way he’s been about the progressive tax he pushing,” he said. “And the same way, he chose to shut down the Metro East area over what he said were a surge in coronavirus rates but not other areas where he’s looking for votes. He doesn’t apply any of the rules fairly.”

In the end, McCullagh said the question of whether a student-athlete can compete or not should be left with the parents.

“That’s where he choice needs to be,” he added. “All the governor has done is politicize the issue.”