There is a "homestyle" chili category that allows for "whatever you want" (aka beans), but
it is not considered one of the 3 main categories (salsa being the 3rd), and no "World Champion" is crowned. Homestyle chili category is basically there to placate the people can't afford to make real chili, and have to resort to cheap fillers like beans.
you can put fruit (pineapple) on a pizza and it's still pizza, even though it sucks.
putting beans in a chili doesn't mean it's not chili.
it happened.
"4. Homestyle Chili is defined by the International Chili Society as the
cook's favorite combination of ingredients resulting in a dish seasoned with chili peppers and spices."
so, by rules, the cooks put their favorite ingredients in this one. I'd say that probably makes a pretty awesome batch of delicious chili. bet it's loaded with beans too!