Illinois Rep. Delgado’s sports facilities authority amendment bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado aims to modify the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act to prohibit sex discrimination and ensure equitable funding for men’s and women’s sports facilities, while addressing financial provisions related to bonds and notes, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

In the House, 76 Democrats and 35 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 38 Democrats and 19 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Delgado introduced the bill in the Illinois House on Feb. 5, 2025 during the 104th session.

The legislation, known as HB2772, was passed on May 31, 2025 during the general assembly session 104.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill’s official text as follows: “Amends the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act. Modifies legislative findings. Provides that “facility” includes stadiums, arenas, or other structures for the holding of athletic contests and other events and gatherings, including, without limitation, professional women’s sports. Provides that a person may not, on the basis of sex, be prohibited from participating in or receiving any of the benefits of programs or activities at facilities funded under the Act, including facilities established or supported by bonds issued under the Act. Requires the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to report to the Governor and the General Assembly on any male or female professional sports projects brought to the Authority by a professional sports team in the State. Provides that the Authority shall notify the Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, and Minority Leader of the Senate of the proposal within 2 weeks of receiving a formal request or inquiry. Provides that, before the General Assembly authorizes the issuance of additional bonds under the Act to fund facilities for professional men’s sports teams, each chamber of the General Assembly may hold a hearing to publicly review any proposal submitted to the Authority. Repeals provisions relating to a dissolved advisory board. Effective immediately.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act by modifying provisions related to definitions, unlawful discrimination, bonds, and notes. It introduces Section 9.5, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in programs or activities at facilities funded under the Act. The bill allows the Authority to issue bonds and notes for various purposes, including establishing reserves and paying interest, which can be secured by a trust agreement. It sets financial limitations on the total outstanding bonds, except for refunds or restructuring. The bill ensures equitable funding distribution between men’s and women’s sports facilities, acknowledging historical disparities. It also guarantees that the State of Illinois will not impair the rights of bondholders and protects the Authority’s autonomy in financial agreements. The act takes effect upon becoming law.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Adriane Johnson (Democrat-30th District), Rep. Ann M. Williams (Democrat-11th District), and Rep. Bob Morgan (Democrat-58th District), along with 40 other sponsors.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Delgado graduated from Wellesly College in 1999 with a BA and again in 2003 from DePaul University College of Law with a JD.

Delgado, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 3rd House District, replacing previous state representative Luis Arroyo.

Lawmakers listed as “Not Voting” were present for the vote but did not cast a vote. Those marked as having an “Excused Absence” were not present and formally provided a reason for their absence, which was accepted.

While the final vote determined the bill’s passage, lawmakers in both chambers held additional votes related to concurrences. These earlier votes are included below for context.