Illinois Chess Bulletin Julio - Agosto 2002 | Page 8

President Podium

Scholastic Programs
Many of the most active states have strong scholastic
programs. Illinois’ scholastic program has become even
stronger in the past few years, and it is composed of
several key organizations. These are:
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Cochess: This is primarily a parental
organization, which is responsible for K-8
chess, including a calendar, and for
organizing the K-8 state championship.
For information on Cochess go to
www.ilchess.com/cochess. K-8 chess in
Illinois is, for the most part, USCF rated,
although there are also a significant
number of unrated training tournaments,
especially in the Evanston area.
ICCA: The Illinois Chess Coaches
Association, which is located online at
www.chesscoach.org. This organization is
one of the two major organizations
responsible for high school chess in
Illinois. High school chess in Illinois is
primarily unrated, although there are still
one or two rated high school events.
IHSA: The Illinois High School Association,
which has a website at www.ihsa.org. The
Illinois state team high school
championship is an 8 board team
tournament run over two days by IHSA.
The ICA/Warren Junior program, which is
run by ICA. This program has two distinct
features. One portion of the program
focuses on instruction and equipment for
K-12 schools. The other portion of the
program focuses on individualized
instruction for top players in Illinois,
currently determined as players who make
it to the USCF top 50 rating lists for their
age group. It is important to note that

these programs DO NOT use ICA dues as
funding. Instead, they are MATCHING
programs, meaning that the school or
individual must come up with some money,
AND we do separate fundraising for these
programs. Although ICA will allocate in the
area of $1,500 a year of its money for
scholastic chess, the goal is to raise all of this
money separate and apart from dues, through
tournament profits or other fundraising.

Other Programs
ICA has other programs that it supports. The Banquet
has already been mentioned. The cost of the banquet is
covered by a fee charged to those who attend. We give
out the Broughton award, for life achievement in Illinois
chess. This is funded by a bequest. From time to time
we make special awards or special support for players
who have done something noteworthy. Again, we try to
do this from tournament profits or other fundraising, not
from baseline dues.

Where Does the Money Go?
In essence, dues pay for the magazine. All other
programs are paid for through profits from events, or
through fundraising. Your dues ARE NOT used to
subsidy services to someone else.

What Does ICA Do?
We promote chess in Illinois, so that you, the player, can
have more enjoyment for your hobby, at a very low price.
In summary:
• Volunteers
• Low price
• Many events
• Advertising
• Documentation
• Make chess more social and enjoyable.
We hope this helps you to better understand ICA, and
encourages you to support us now and in the future.

Remember that www.illinoischess.org has a lot of
information on Illinois chess, and

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Illinois Chess Bulletin