Court Rules Against Immunity Defense in Case of First Impression

An Illinois state appeals court has reversed a lower court’s finding, giving new life to a basketball coach’s claim that the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and its executive director were negligent and defamatory when they suspended him and then published the ruling on its web site.   Specifically, the appeals court found that the IHSA and its top official were not covered by the state’s Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (Act).   The plainti