SPRINGFIELD -- A state law that made it difficult for
amateur martial arts tournaments to operate has been changed.
Previously, lawmakers approved rules to regulate
professional martial arts contests for safety purposes. But amateur martial
arts groups complained that the regulations were too harsh and expensive for
their events.
As a result, Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation this
month to roll back those regulations for amateur events.
Roby Irby, Illinois representative for the United States
Martial Arts Alliance, said the new law was key to keeping tournaments going
in the state.
"We're grateful," he said. "All of these school owners
were going to shut the tournaments down or move out of state."
Major tournaments are held in Bloomington, Carbondale
and around the state. The legislation to clarify the law was pushed by state
Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa. The previous rules would have forced amateur
participants as young as 5 years old to get AIDS testing, for example.
"This is crazy," Rutherford said he thought of the
rules.
Proponents of the tournaments suggested that without
amateur tournaments at the state level, young enthusiasts wouldn't have a
chance of trying to get to the Olympics someday.
The legislation was House Bill 786.
