CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois Governor
JB Pritzker signed
Senate Bill 2338 into law Tuesday, allowing all student-athletes in the state, including the UIC Flames, to be compensated for use of their name, image and likeness effective July 1, 2021.
"With this law, Illinois will lead the United States in giving student-athletes the opportunity to sign endorsement deals of their own, joining a growing coalition of states leading the fight for innovation in our modern collegiate sports system," said Pritzker. "Let me be clear. Illinois is now at the forefront of this movement, yet another reason student-athletes should choose Illinois for college. Beginning July 1st, Illinois collegiate student athletes – no matter the sport and no matter the division – can take control of their destiny when it comes to their own name, image, likeness, and voice."
"Today ushers in an exciting era for UIC's 300 student-athletes and Flames Athletics will help them flourish," said UIC Director of Athletics
Michael Lipitz. "As a Division I athletics program at Chicago's largest university, UIC delivers a powerful platform for our student-athletes to maximize these new opportunities. We thank Governor Pritzker, Speaker [Emanuel Chris] Welch and the Illinois Legislature for their leadership on this landmark legislation."
