Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn passed regulations requiring schools to provide catastrophic-injury insurance for athletes playing school-sponsored sports.
The insurance is required at both public and private high schools, and public elementary and middle schools.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Rasul Clark, a football player who was paralyzed due to injury in 2000, was the inspiration for the new legislation. According to the Tribune, Rasul's family ran out of insurance money before his death last year.
Under the legislation, schools are required to have insurance that will cover payments for five years or $3 million in benefits, whichever comes first.
Schools will obtain the money for the insurance costs through activity fees ranging from $5 to $10 per participating student-athlete.
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