Can Illinois high school athletes make NIL money?

Yes — since the IHSA's December 2022 rule change, with restrictions on timing, school property, and deal categories.

Can I film NIL content at school or during practice in Illinois?

No. School facilities are off-limits, and NIL activity is barred during school hours, travel to IHSA events, and during games, practices, meetings, or tournaments.

What deal categories are off-limits for Illinois high schoolers?

Gaming and gambling, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, banned or illegal substances, adult entertainment, and firearms or other weapons, among others the IHSA board deems inappropriate.

NIL Rules by State › Illinois

Illinois High School NIL Rules

What student-athletes and parents in Illinois need to know about name, image, and likeness — in plain language.

Rules verified as of August 2026What does this date mean?

High school NIL allowed?

Yes

Parent co-sign (under 18)

Generally required

School logos & uniforms

Restricted

The short version

The IHSA approved NIL for Illinois high school athletes in December 2022. Illinois adds timing rules on top of the usual restrictions: no NIL activity during school hours, while traveling to IHSA events, or during games, practices, meetings, or tournaments — and deals cannot be based on athletic performance.

Key rules in Illinois

High school NIL is allowed following the IHSA amendment passed December 2022.Source: IHSA By-law 3.083 (Proposal 10, Dec 2022)
NIL cannot be based on performance; IHSA and school intellectual property and school facilities cannot be used.Source: IHSA By-law 3.083
No NIL activity during school hours, while traveling to IHSA events, or during events, practices, rehearsals, meetings, games, or tournaments.Source: IHSA By-law 3.083
Prohibited deal categories include gaming/gambling, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, banned or illegal substances, adult entertainment, and firearms or other weapons.Source: IHSA By-law 3.083

Common questions

Can Illinois high school athletes make NIL money?: Yes — since the IHSA's December 2022 rule change, with restrictions on timing, school property, and deal categories.
Can I film NIL content at school or during practice in Illinois?: No. School facilities are off-limits, and NIL activity is barred during school hours, travel to IHSA events, and during games, practices, meetings, or tournaments.
What deal categories are off-limits for Illinois high schoolers?: Gaming and gambling, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, banned or illegal substances, adult entertainment, and firearms or other weapons, among others the IHSA board deems inappropriate.

Your next step

Before anyone signs anything, walk through the free pre-deal checklist together — it covers payment terms, exclusivity, and Illinois's rules step by step.

Run the Free Pre-Deal Checklist

Reading this to make a decision?

Illinois's NIL rules can change at any time. Everything on this page is current as of August 2026 — the last date we checked it against the official sources. Laws and policies may have been updated or changed since then, so before acting on anything important, confirm the details with the original source listed above or your school's compliance office.

NIL rules in other states

More NIL resources

Disclaimer

The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney in your state, and reviewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and My NIL Guide, JSL Lead Enterprises, L.L.C., its owners, or any affiliated person.

NIL laws and school/athletic-association policies vary by state and change frequently. While we work to keep this information current, we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or applicability to your specific situation. Before entering into any NIL agreement or relying on information about your state's rules, consult your school's compliance office and/or a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

About the "verified as of" date: it shows the last time we checked this page against the official published rules (the state athletic association's policy, state law, or the agency named in the sources above). Rules can change at any time after that date, so before acting on anything important, double-check directly with the original source, your school's compliance office, or a licensed attorney. This page was last verified on August 2026. If you believe any information here is outdated or inaccurate, please contact us.

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