high school

Illinois high school pitchers could soon see pitch limits

Sep 1, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

(BLOOMINGTON) The group that regulates high school sports in Illinois is proposing limits on how many pitches a high school baseball pitcher can throw in a game and how much rest they must receive between appearances.

The Illinois High School Association said Wednesday that an advisory committee has proposed capping pitchers at 115 pitches a day and requiring four days rest before they could pitch again. Lower pitch counts would come with smaller numbers of mandated rest days.

IHSA spokesman Matt Troha says state associations across the country are developing pitch-count rules after the National Federation of State High School Associations earlier this year directed them to.

The IHSA board of directors is expected to consider the limits in October. If approved they would take effect in the 2017 season.

Police Investigating Bolingbrook Shooting Deaths

Oct 26, 2015 | WLS-AM Staff

By ick Gale, WLS News

Bolingbrook High School was under a soft lockdown this morning after a shooting nearby left two people dead. According to Bolingbrook High School officials, the lockdown, which was in place for less than one hour, was lifted around 11 a.m.

The lockdown was at the request of Bolingbrook police only as a precautionary measure.

Bolingbrook police confirm two people were killed near Veteran’s Parkway and Remington, about two blocks from the high school. Additional details have not been released.

Police investigate report of sexual assault at St. Francis de Sales High School

Apr 30, 2015 | WLSAM Staff

(CHICAGO) Chicago Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault at St. Francis de Sales High School on the Far South Side in late March.

The incident allegedly involved an 18-year-old male victim in a school locker room about 3 p.m. March 23, a source told the Chicago Sun-Times. The victim allegedly was attacked by five other males, police said. A de Sales parent and school representatives reported the incident to police on Tuesday, police said.

Police had no one in custody in connection with the incident Wednesday.

The school issued a statement on its website Wednesday:

“Dear School Families,

The safety and well-being of our students at St. Francis de Sales High school is a top priority. Yesterday, April 28, after we completed an extensive investigation of a reported bullying incident, consequences were imposed on all students involved.

Our students are educated in a community of faith committed to academic excellence and our caring environment enables students to feel safe and be successful. It is important for the St. Francis de Sales community to be mindful of the care and concern we show towards everyone. I hope you will take time to discuss with your child the sense of safety at St. Francis de Sales, as well as the treatment of fellow classmates.”

Kristen McQueary Plays Marx, Richard Marx

Oct 23, 2014 |

Richard Marx was unable to call to the show this morning for our scheduled interview. Fortunately, we have the great Kristen McQueary to fill in.

Should high school students be subject to random drug tests?

Apr 3, 2013 |

Naperville weighs drug tests at high schools

Officials say marijuana use 'rampant,' consider random screening for athletes, others in extracurricular activities

From the Chicago Tribune:

By Melissa Jenco, Chicago Tribune reporter
6:57 p.m. CDT, April 2, 2013

Some high school athletes in Naperville may eventually be subjected to random drug tests.

Officials from Naperville North and Central high schools say marijuana use has become "rampant," and they would like to be more proactive.

The issue came up as a committee of administrators, coaches, parents and students performed an annual review of Naperville Unit District 203's co-curricular code.

"The code isn't always acting as the deterrent that we'd like it to," Bob Ross, assistant superintendent for secondary education, told the school board this week.

Ross said group members asked what could be done to make it easier for students to make good decisions and would like to explore the possibility of random drug tests. The tests would apply not only to athletes but to students involved in other extracurricular activities as well.

Naperville North Athletic Director Jim Konrad said there have been 30 violations of the co-curricular code at his school this year, of which 24 were marijuana-related.

"Our biggest concern is the pressure on kids is pretty severe now," Konrad said. "Marijuana is rampant in the schools. If there's anything we can do to assist parents and assist the kids to say no, I think it's a positive thing."

Central Athletic Director Andy Lutzenkirchen characterized the problem at his school in the same way.

Board member Terry Fielden asked whether students caught with drugs in their systems would be turned over to police.

"I don't think I could support anything other than giving them help and trying to get them some benefit from it as opposed to some other action," he said.

Konrad said the code currently calls for students who are caught using drugs to be referred to a drug and alcohol counselor in addition to being suspended from extracurricular participation. Officials said they have not discussed whether there would be any legal consequences.

Board member Susan Crotty said she was not yet taking a position on the proposal but believes the line between parenting and the actions of school officials seems to blur.

Konrad said that while some parents think the code should be done away with entirely, others say they like being able to remind their children their actions can affect their ability to participate in their sport or activity.

School board President Mike Jaensch said that in his eyes, drug testing would be "a tool for the parent first and foremost with our support."

Konrad and Lutzenkirchen plan to talk to other districts about whether they drug test and how they go about doing so. Officials also will research legal and privacy issues as well as costs.

The district plans to continue the discussion at the June 17 school board meeting.

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