The Illinois High School Association ruled last week that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students cannot compete in athletic games during the ongoing teachers’ strike.

According to news reports, IHSA, which is dedicated to ensuring fair participation in interscholastic sports and activities, denied a CPS request to waive one of its bylaws that prohibits games during strikes.

IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman said in a statement that the IHSA board felt it was beyond its authority to grant the waiver.

“The IHSA’s bylaws are developed by and voted into practice by its member school principals, and, after some meaningful discussion, the board ultimately felt respecting the guidelines put in place by our member schools was the only option available in this situation, and any change to the bylaws would need to be facilitated through the IHSA legislative process,” Hickman wrote.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports, however, that IHSA rules do not prohibit organized athletic practices.