Start the lower-risk high school sports: Chicago, most suburbs now in Tier 2

Chicago and most of the suburbs were moved into Tier 2 on Monday. That’s great news for lower-risk high school sports.

Per the Illinois High School Association’s announcement on Monday those teams can begin practice immediately and can play games “at a future day to be determined by the board.”

Lower-risk sports teams will be allowed to play games within their conference and region. Lower risk sports include boys and girls bowling, cheerleading, dance, girls gymnastics and boys swimming and diving and badminton.

Medium-risk sports in Tier 2 regions will be allowed to practice. There are no medium-risk sports on the IHSA’s current winter sports schedule. But on Friday, the IHSA said that spring and summer medium-risk sports at schools in Tier 2 can begin contact days on January 25. That would include soccer, volleyball and water polo.

Everything remains on pause in Will and Kankakee counties, which are still in Tier 3.

The IHSA successfully conducted seasons in golf, girls tennis, cross country, and girls swimming & diving through Sectional competition this fall, but all IHSA sports have been paused since November 20.

Tier 3

Region 7: Will, Kankakee

In this region all sporting activities remain paused.

Tier 2

Region 8: Kane, DuPage

Region 9: McHenry, Lake

Region 10: Cook

Region 11: Chicago

In these regions lower-risk sports can play games within their conference and region. Medium-risk sports are allowed to practice. No games are allowed. Higher-risk sports can hold no-contact practices.

Tier 1

Region 2: Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Putnam, Kendall, Grundy, Mercer, Knox, Henderson, Warren, McDonough, Fulton, Stark, Marshall, Peoria, Tazwell, McLean, Woodford, Livingston, Lasalle

In these regions lower risk sports can play games, including tournaments and non-conference and out-of-state games. Medium-risk sports can play games within their conference or regions. Higher-risk sports can hold practices but not games.