SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — State lawmakers want to make some changes to Illinois’ image and likeness law.

Representative Kam Buckner, a former University of Illinois football player, is the one pushing for these changes. He said Illinois universities are currently at a disadvantage because of these laws, which he originally helped pass.

His new bill would allow the university to play the middle man in these deals between private businesses and athletes.

Currently, they rely on third-party collectives to handle these deals.

“That NCAA has remained pretty silent on an item, asking state legislators to do their work for them. And I think that they have been derelict in their duty,” said Chicago Representative Kam Buckner. “And so here we are, again, because now Illinois schools have been at a disadvantage.”

Another part of the bill would protect the contracts athletes sign for FOIA laws, meaning they would remain private.