Carbondale Reporter

In March 2025, State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) joined with other House Republicans in Illinois to address a policy from the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The policy in question, which has come under scrutiny, allows transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity, rather than their sex assigned at birth.

Severin expressed concerns about this policy, arguing, "It is our understanding that the IHSA has communicated… a policy that establishes a process for transgender students whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth to seek eligibility for the opposite sex’s sport."

The representative from the 116th District has placed his support behind two legislative pieces, HB 1117 and HB 4027, both of which seek to prevent men from participating in women's sports and using women's facilities such as locker rooms and bathrooms. Severin stated, "I strongly believe that stopping the practice of boys and men playing in women’s sports and keeping them out of women’s private spaces is an important step that we must take to ensure fairness and safety for female student-athletes." Adding to his statement, he voiced his concurrence with the executive order signed by President Trump.

Severin also initiated a petition to gather signatures from those who agree with his stance. The petition can be found at https://www.ilhousegop.org/severin_women_s_sports_petition. According to Severin, “I’m asking anyone who agrees with me that boys and men should stick to playing in their own sports and that girls and women who are playing sports in our schools deserve fairness, safety, and privacy in their locker rooms and restrooms. I want my constituents’ voices to be heard on this critical issue.”

Severin's actions and statements reflect a broader political discourse on the participation of transgender individuals in sports, with varying opinions on both the state and national levels.