Title
Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act, now commonly known as “Zach's Law”
History
Movable soccer goals have been found to pose a threat to the safety of children and adults from the dangers of unanchored or improperly anchored goals tipping over. On August 2, 2011, Governor Quinn signed into law the Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act, now commonly known as “Zach's Law”, which is aimed to eliminate the threat of injury from movable goals. Zachary Tran of Vernon Hills died in 2003 when a goalpost fell on him during a soccer practice.
Zach’s Law, which became effective immediately upon its passage, requires any organization, including local governments, that own and control a movable soccer goal, to create a soccer goal safety and education policy that outlines how the organization will specifically address the safety issues associated with movable soccer goals. The policy, which we are required to adopt at this time, should educate the community on the dangers of movable soccer goals, prohibit anyone from playing, climbing, or hanging on any part of the soccer goal (this especially applies to children climbing on or hanging from nets or goal frames), address how the goals are to be installed to prevent tipping and how they are to be stored when not in use.
Attached is a policy from the Village Attorney that outlines the compliance to this new law. Signs will be ordered to attach to the two sets of movable soccer goals at a cost of $121 and a set of 4 anchors have been ordered at a cost of $369.72. The Recreation Department will supply educational literature to the appropriate athletic organizations that use village fields.
On October 3, 2011, this item was reviewed and approved by the Parks, Recreation, and Environmental Initiatives Committee and referred to the Board for approval.
Financial Impact
Funds will come from Parks account 283-4003-451-6150 - $121.00 and 283-4003-451-6199 - $369.72.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve accepting into policy...
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