Judge weighs IHSA bid to drop high school concussions suit

A Cook County judge is considering whether to grant a motion by Illinois’ privately run prep sports governing body to dismiss a class-action head-injury suit against it.

Illinois High School Association lawyer Thomas Heiden told Circuit Judge Leroy Martin Jr. during oral arguments Friday the lawsuit seeks new mandates that would threaten high school football in the state.

Heiden stressed the sport’s importance, saying football has taught Illinois kids life lessons since the 1800s and that “they need more of those lessons.”

Plaintiff’s lawyer Joe Siprut said the IHSA is trying to “shock and awe” the judge by raising a false specter of the lawsuit killing football.

Siprut said the only relevant question was whether the lawsuit states a plausible enough claim to continue, which he said it does.

Martin did not immediately rule.