Illinois passes law slamming Jiu-Jitsu


July 9, 2011

10 Comments

Chicago, the biggest city in Ilinois / Publicity photo

Bad news for Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. The Illinois general assembly has passed a law that may put an end to Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in the state once and for all, as reported by two-time world absolute-winning black belt Rodrigo Comprido.

“The Illinois state senators approved a law that equates Jiu-Jitsu competitions to MMA events. That, ultimately, makes it impossible to hold competitions in the state, besides the fact that the rules will be set out by the Boxing Commission,” he explains.

“For example, all the athletes will have to undergo a pre-competition blood test. And the law is already having its effect. The IBJJF postponed the Chicago Open, which was the only championship around here with 100% Jiu-Jitsu rules,” he adds.

And there’s already a movement to try and overturn the resolution in Illinois.

“There’s a petition on Facebook where to put pressure on the senators to negotiate,” added Comprido, who calls on one and all to participate.

Click here.

  • Kazja

    I saved Jiu Jitsu from regulation in CA. in 2000 but was arrested trying to save pankration recently. Need to stand up and fight this.

    • Lucas Smith

      single handedly huh? wow you are quite a powerful person

  • Kingdomdogspeaker

    This is what socialism is all about, removing & restricting freedom. When is America going to wake up & stop voting for liberal democRATS!!!

  • JennaK2285

    Sounds like the state of Illinois is ignorant!

  • trenlong

    This problem is not just in illinois, the same thing almost happened in Idaho, and will happen in more states if we dont provide a national or international sanction body for grappling events like US Judo or US wrestling!

  • Lucas Smith

    Illinois politicians must do Tae-Kwon_do

  • Hbjjc

    This goes to show how “uneducated” these politicians are and it’s freakin’ sad. If they are going to do this to jiu-jitsu then why not Judo? Wrestling? Pankration? They have take downs, submissions, etc.

  • Jrivera6178

    As a jiujitsu practitioner living in Chicago I’m outraged with our legislators, but as politics goes in Illinois, where we have sent two back-to-back governors to prison, its all about the money. In Illinois you have to pay to play…

  • Paul Raskin

    In addition to the petition on Facebook, here is another targeted at IL politicians: http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-il-vetoamend-il-house-bill-1490-keep-amateur-martial-arts-in-illinois

  • Ahlex70

    I was there when MMA was being launched…and the boxing commission is another name for the MOB. They need to get their cut – especially in big money making events like large BJJ tournaments. You are basically paying for the permission to hold an event.

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