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| Quinn Signs Law Regulating Student Athlete-Seeking Agents |
Gov. Pat Quinn has signed into law a bill that protects college athletes from agents who might not have their best interests at heart.
The law requires sports agents working for or seeking college sports players to register with the state.
Quinn says the law aims at protecting young athletes from being taken advantage of. "This new law will protect young athletes as they move forward in their careers," Quinn said.
Agents must register with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The law establishes penalties and prohibits convicted felons from acting as an agent. Illinois is the 42nd state to sign such a law.
Janna Blais, the senior associate athletic director at Northwestern University, says agents who don't have an understanding of NCAA rules and sign an athlete can actually hurt a player's eligibility to continue playing in college. She says the new law requires registered agents to let school athletic directors know about contracts.
The measure was sponsored by State Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) and House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego). It takes effect Jan. 1, 2011.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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