Former Chicago Bears star linebacker Brian Urlacher made his stance known on the issue of transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports as the debate creates a divide in the state where he made his reputation – Illinois. 

Urlacher shared his opinion on the issue during an interview on the “Global View” podcast on May 9 and questioned why it is even a debate in some circles.

“Why is it even a debate? A woman is a woman and a man is a man… you’re born with what you’re born with,” Urlacher said. 

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Urlacher even referenced an ongoing controversy in Minnesota, where a transgender pitcher is currently dominating the girls’ softball season. The trans athlete reportedly won 14 straight games heading into the playoffs and earned first-team All-State honors rocked the state in recent weeks. 

“It’s just different because we are men, there are certain things we do better than women, and it’s just, number one, it’s not fair, and if I had a daughter who had to be forced to play against a man I would not be okay with it and I would raise hell about it,” Urlacher said. 

“I just don’t get it, it’s a common sense thing, I just don’t see how you can push this and make someone thing they’re a different sex.”

EX-VIKINGS PLAYER RIPS MINNESOTA AG AS STATE SUES TRUMP TO KEEP TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS’ SPORTS

Former Chicago Bears player Brian Urlacher is honored during halftime of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2018. (Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports)

The Pro Football Hall of Famer praised President Donald Trump for signing the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order at the White House on Feb. 5. 

Illinois has become a hotbed of controversy over the issue of trans athlete inclusion in recent days after a biological male competed in a seventh-grade track meet against biological females at the Naper Prairie Conference Meet. 

The incident resulted in a Naperville 203 Community School District Board meeting descending into a heated debate over the issue on Monday. 

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Brian Urlacher is honored with a Ring of Excellence ceremony for his recent induction into the Hall of Fame at Soldier Field on Sep. 17, 2018 in Chicago. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Awake Illinois has filed a civil rights complaint against the district, with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights alleging a violation of Title IX.

They called on federal funds to be withheld from the district, which it says receives between $8 million and $9 million in federal grants annually. The complaint is part of a broader effort by Awake Illinois, which previously filed similar Title IX complaints against other districts and the Illinois State Board of Education.

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A tornado watch is in effect for much of central Illinois, with some counties under a tornado warning.

A tornado warning was issued for Sangamon and Menard counties. The warnings are set to expire at 3:15 p.m.

The following counties are under the watch: Bureau, Christian, Cumberland, Edgar, Fulton, Knox, Macon, McDonough, Morgan, Piatt, Schuyler, Tazewell, Woodford, Cass, Clark, DeWitt, Effingham, Henry, Livingston, Marshall, McLean, Moultrie, Putnam, Shelby, Vermilion, Champaign, Coles, Douglas, Ford, Iroquois, Logan, Mason, Peoria, Stark, and Warren.

As of 2:20 p.m., the watch is supposed to expire at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

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Hazardous Weather Outlook

Many of the same counties are also under a Hazardous Weather Outlook.

Those counties are:

Knox, Stark, Peoria, Marshall, Woodford, Fulton, Tazewell, McLean, Schuyler, Mason, Logan, DeWitt, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Cass, Menard, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Christian, Macon, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Edgar, Shelby, Cumberland, Clark, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland, and Lawrence.

Central Illinois radar

What does the outlook say for Tuesday?

Scattered thunderstorms will continue to develop on Tuesday afternoon and generally shift east across central Illinois through the early evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Some of these storms could be strong to severe. The storms may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, hail over one inch, and isolated tornadoes.

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Are storms expected on Wednesday?

NWS is not predicting hazardous weather for Wednesday or the rest of the week.

(This story has been updated to include new information.)

Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com.

Illinois football has been on a tear in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Currently ranked 12th nationally in 247 Sports’ class rankings, the Illini are pushing to climb even higher – and a commitment from standout defensive lineman Cameron McHaney could be the next major step forward.

McHaney, a 6-foot-1, 315-pound force in the trenches, revealed this week that he has narrowed his list of possible schools to five: Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, Louisville and Vanderbilt. The four-star prospect (per On3) plans to announce his decision on July 1.

Originally from Greenwood, Indiana, McHaney began his high school career in the Midwest before transferring to national powerhouse IMG Academy, where he had a breakout junior campaign. He recorded 39 tackles and two sacks while facing some of the top competition in the country. His season vaulted him onto the national recruiting radar in 2024, and he has continued to gain momentum ever since.

McHaney isn’t just a football standout – he’s a well-rounded athlete. As a sophomore, he qualified for the Indiana state track meet in the discus throw, placing 13th. That combination of size, power and explosiveness makes him a particularly intriguing prospect for any program.

The Illini have already secured commitments from three pass rushers in the 2026 class: Parker Crim, Jacob Alexander and Kingston Shaw. Adding McHaney would be the cherry on top of a defensive line haul that already appears to have elite potential.

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