A recent report shows the number of referees for high school sports in Illinois continues to sink, dropping by 11 percent from the 2012-13 to the 2016-17 seasons.

A 2015 state law required high schools to develop concussion response procedures to protect student-athletes from further injury, but smaller schools may be at a disadvantage.

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday the Illinois High School Association, which organizes sports tournaments between high schools, does not have to release internal records. The Better Government Association brought the suit.

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) wants to tie restoration of state higher education funding to procurement reform that would streamline how public bodies buy or obtain goods and services.