The Illinois House unanimously passed a bill last week that would implement random drug testing for high school athletes across the state. If the State Senate OKs the bill and Gov. Quinn signs it – it’s law.

An Illinois plan last fall joined Illinois with Florida, New Jersey and Texas and is funded in part by the Illinois High School Association. florida has already dropped out of that plan because of a lack of funds.

The new Illinois bill would propose testing 1,000 more student-athletes per year from 25 percent of Illinois high schools. The IHSA-funded program that’s in place already tests between 750 and 1,000 athletes, but only during postseason.

The new tests cost about $100 each and would come from adding $50 to fines to Illinois drug convictions.

Even though most of the IHSA tests have come back negative, there evidently are those who feel more is needed. It’s sad they feel that way.

In these tough economic times, isn’t there a better way to spend our money?

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