Illinois lawmakers could improve NIL law to help athletic departments, protect college athletes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Lawmakers are working on a plan in Springfield to improve the state's Name Image and Likeness (NIL) law for college athletes.

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) told the House Higher Education Committee Tuesday that the law has put Illinois universities at a significant disadvantage in terms of recruiting and retention of players.

"When we first entered into this space a number of years ago, we wanted this to not just be about profit and publicity. It was also about parity and protection," Buckner said. "We're making sure that our young people not just have the opportunities to bring in some remuneration, but also that we were protecting them from bad actors."

Buckner explained his plan could allow athletes to earn NIL compensation directly from their universities as permitted by the NCAA. The proposal would also block press or the public from requesting how much athletes make from their private NIL deals.

"Our position is that that's not the public's business," said University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman. "Those are private transactions that are happening between Coleman Hawkins as an individual and third party entities that exist outside of the athletic program or outside of the university. This would provide us the tool to protect that information from having to pass it off to the media."

Buckner's legislation could also allow universities to create athletic department incentives for fans to support student athlete NIL activities. For example, fans could potentially get better parking or seats at an arena if they donate to NIL funds.

The proposal passed out of the House Higher Education Committee on a 9-0 vote. Although, Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) voted present due to concerns with the bill.

"I'm quite concerned about what is being posited so far because I don't understand what it is we're trying to do," Ammons said. "But I'm also concerned about how FOIA is being utilized to protect information that may need to be public. I'm not sure where the line is between what you're asking to do here and what is presented in this bill."

House Bill 307 now moves to the House floor for further consideration.