NIL rules by state
Illinois NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Illinois college athletes can earn NIL money under the Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act (110 ILCS 190), in effect since July 1, 2021 and amended in 2022 to let schools help athletes with NIL. Illinois high school athletes can earn NIL money under IHSA rules, as long as they use no IHSA or school names, logos or facilities and do no NIL activity during school hours or IHSA events.
The IHSA rule is checked against a school district's publication of the by-law; the college law summary relies on a law-firm tracker.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: 110 ILCS 190 | Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act (SB 2338, 2021; HB 1175, 2022) |
| High school | Allowed with limits | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
Key facts
- College law: Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act, 110 ILCS 190 (SB 2338, effective July 1, 2021; amended by HB 1175, effective May 20, 2022).
- High school: IHSA By-law 3.084, adopted in late 2022.
- No IHSA or member school names, logos, mascots or trademarks, and no school facilities.
- No NIL activity during school hours, while traveling to or from IHSA events, or during any IHSA practice, game or event.
- Banned: gaming and gambling, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, banned or illegal substances, adult entertainment, and firearms or other weapons.
- The student is responsible for checking how NIL affects NCAA, NJCAA or NAIA eligibility.
On this page
Illinois NIL law for college athletes
Illinois's Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act (110 ILCS 190), enacted as SB 2338, took effect July 1, 2021. It lets athletes at Illinois colleges earn compensation for the use of their name, image and likeness and hire representation, and bars schools and associations from punishing them for it. A 2022 amendment (HB 1175) loosened the original limits, including on schools' involvement in NIL.
Division I athletes also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go within five business days.
Illinois high school NIL (IHSA By-law 3.084)
The IHSA allows high school students to earn compensation for their NIL under By-law 3.084, adopted in late 2022, as quoted by Illinois school districts. A student may not:
- Use IHSA or member school names, logos, mascots or trademarks to earn money or to suggest a school endorses the activity.
- Use a member school's facilities for NIL activity.
- Do NIL activity during school hours, while traveling to or from an IHSA event, or during an IHSA event, including practices, rehearsals, meetings, games and tournaments.
- Promote gaming or gambling, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, banned or illegal substances, adult entertainment, firearms or other weapons, or anything else the IHSA Board finds inappropriate.
The student is responsible for working out what effect NIL activity may have on eligibility with the NCAA, NJCAA or NAIA.
Frequently asked questions
Can Illinois high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes, under IHSA By-law 3.084: no school or IHSA marks or facilities, no NIL activity during school hours or IHSA events, and no banned categories.
What is Illinois's college NIL law?
The Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act, 110 ILCS 190, effective July 1, 2021 and amended in 2022.
Next steps
Sources
- Name, Image, Likeness (IHSA By-law 3.084 as published by District 155) — Community High School District 155
- Illinois High School Association — IHSA
- Nationwide Name, Image, and Likeness Tracker (August 2024) — Foley & Lardner
- Student-Athlete NIL Deals — College Sports Commission
This is general information, not legal advice. NIL rules differ by state, school, association and sport, and they change often. Check the official sources linked on this page and talk with your school's compliance office, your state association or a licensed attorney before you sign anything.