Press Release: Governor signs the Illinois Athlete Agents Act

July14, 2010                                                                                                              

 Governor signs the Illinois Athlete Agents Act

Rep. Cross and Sen. Wilhelmi work together to pass SB2542 

Springfield… Governor Pat Quinn signs into law today a bill that was sponsored by Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D- Crest Hill) designed to protect student athletes who hire agents to help plan a professional career.  In many cases a student is in jeopardy of losing his/her scholarships by hiring a professional agent, this legislation will ensure that agents keep the student’s best interest at the forefront. 

Senate Bill 2542 creates the Illinois Athlete Agents Act, will regulate those agents that have or intend to have clients that are athletes in high school and college. The new act requires licensure of agents for student-athletes with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and establishes qualifications for licensure and requirements for the athletes’ agents. 

“Before this law, Illinois did not regulate agents who represented student-athletes,” said Cross. “This is something that the NCAA recommended that we should do.  We now join the other 38 states that have passed a similar act.” 

The law includes provisions regarding the powers and duties of IDFPR, grounds for disciplinary action, requirements for agency contracts subject to the act, student athlete’s right to cancel the contract, notice to educational institutions, injunctive actions, investigations, and hearings.           

Senate Bill 2542 also includes 5-year record keeping requirements to prohibit an athlete’s agent from engaging in specified conduct.  A violation of this act will carry criminal and civil penalties.