SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Latest on legislation to ban tackle football for kids under 12 (all times local):
1:10 p.m.
A plan to prohibit tackle football among the youngest children to prevent head trauma is moving to the Illinois House floor for a vote.
The Mental Health Committee endorsed Rep. Carol Sente’s (SEHN’-tayz) legislation 11-9. The Vernon Hills Democrat aims to delay head blows routine in tackle football that have been linked to the degenerative brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
It is a progressive disease characterized by memory loss, depression, violent tendencies and other cognitive problems.
Among the phalanx of experts and widows of CTE victims was Tregg Duerson (DOO’-er-sun). He is the son of the legislation’s namesake, former Chicago Bears defensive safety Dave Duerson. The elder Duerson shot himself at age 50 after suffering from CTE.
Several committee members who voted “no” complained that opponents were not given a chance to speak.
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4:45 a.m.
A proposed ban on tackle football for kids younger than 12 will get an Illinois House hearing.
The Mental Health Committee will consider Rep. Carol Sente’s (SEHN’-tayz) plan Thursday at the state Capitol.
The Vernon Hills Democrat wants to limit youngsters’ head trauma. Repeated blows to the head have been linked to the degenerative brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
CTE is characterized by memory loss, violent moods and other cognitive problems among football players, combat veterans and others who have sustained ongoing head trauma.
Sente named the proposal for Dave Duerson (DOO’-ur-sun). The defensive back for the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears killed himself at age 50. He shot himself in the chest so his brain could be studied for signs of CTE.
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Online:
The bill is HB4341.
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