Two bylaw proposals released by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) would split public and private schools into separate postseason paths, a structural change that would reshape the state-tournament landscape Maine South has competed in for decades.

The West Suburban Conference submitted both proposals, first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. The IHSA Legislative Commission reviewed them at its first meeting Nov. 2, according to the Intelligencer.

The proposals land while the Hawks are in the middle of a Class 8A playoff run. Maine South (9-1) hosts No. 11 St. Ignatius (8-2) at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in the second round.

What the proposals would change

Proposal 8 creates separate classes for boundary (public) and non-boundary (private and magnet) schools. Under this format, public and private schools would no longer compete for the same state championships. In football, there would be six boundary classes and two non-boundary classes, the Sun-Times reported.

The Sun-Times spelled out one consequence for Park Ridge: a football state championship game between Maine South and Loyola would be impossible under Proposal 8. Each school would face similar schools and win separate titles.

Proposal 15 takes a narrower approach. Boundary and non-boundary schools would have separate sectionals and supersectionals, but one non-boundary team would advance to the state semifinals in each class. Championship games between public and private schools could still happen, but only one private or non-boundary public school would reach the state finals per class per year.

Why it matters locally

Maine South has won multiple IHSA football state championships, including 8A titles under coach David Inserra. According to IHSA records, the Hawks beat Mount Carmel 28-7 for the 8A crown in one title-game appearance and defeated Hinsdale Central 41-21 in another.

Loyola Academy, a private school, won three consecutive Class 8A championships from 2022 through 2024, according to the Record. The Ramblers beat York 35-10 in the 2024 title game. That private-school dominance is at the center of the debate.

The private-school response

Downers Grove North athletic director Dave Rose, who wrote both proposals, declined to comment on specifics, telling the Sun-Times that "the proposal is still very early in the process, and I'd like to give a chance to be discussed at the town hall meetings in November before talking through it."

St. Laurence athletic director and Chicago Catholic League vice president Tim Chandler told the Sun-Times that Proposal 8 is "a non-starter" for private schools.

Several sources confirmed to the Sun-Times that the IHSA could push through Proposal 15 without a vote from member schools. Chandler told the paper he had heard the same and said the Catholic League would prefer that scenario. The IHSA is believed to prefer keeping private and public schools competing for the same state titles, the Sun-Times reported.

What happens next

In-person town hall meetings will take place between Nov. 5 and Nov. 18. The Legislative Commission meets again Nov. 23 to decide whether to send each proposal to a full membership vote. If proposals advance, IHSA member schools vote Dec. 1-15.

The West Suburban Conference is expected to listen to feedback at the town hall meetings and then pull back the less popular proposal, according to an unnamed source cited by the Sun-Times.

Maine South's second-round playoff game against St. Ignatius is set for 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in Park Ridge.