But a just-filed lawsuit could void that statewide executive order. However, the more contagious Delta variant currently spreading has proven to infect children at higher rates that previous strains of COVID, and children with COVID have ended up hospitalized more frequently in recent weeks than at any time since the outbreak began. For others, the mask optional decision was long overdue. Help fund the NPR Illinois mission to inform the community by securing business sponsorships. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.Pritzker said the mandate would protect unvaccinated children and adults, as well as the elderly and others with reduced immune systems who are more likely to develop breakthrough infections of COVID-19 even after they get vaccinations.Arrested:Rochester pastor accused of grooming minor, is suspended, Illinois school mask mandate lawsuit: What you need to know, Illinois school mask mandate lawsuit: What you need to know about a judges ruling that upended school COVID-19 rulesChicago-area school districts are relaxing their COVID-19 policies or revealing they plan to stay the course in the wake of an Illinois judges decision to temporarily prevent Gov. In part, the order said the students named in the case cant be excluded from in-person learning without consent or a quarantine order from the health department. "I chose to head to the auditorium without my mask on and really didn't want to go home, I felt it was our right to stay here without our masks per the ruling on a Friday," said senior Sydney Pjesky. When Judge Grischow announced her decision on 4:45 p.m. on Friday, her 29-page ruling didn't settle the questions about masking in school. Governor Pritzker has asked the Illinois Attorney General's office for an immediate appeal of Judge Grischow's decision to restrain the State from enforcing the safety measures aimed at protecting teachers, school personnel, students and communities from COVID-19.The Attorney General is seeking an expedited appeal from the Fourth District Illinois Appellate Court. Illinois Gov. A downstate Illinois judge made a ruling late last week that effectively prohibits a statewide mask requirement in schools, sparking plenty of confusion from school districts across the state. ranted one parent. "Our primary goal is to educate our kids and do that in a safe environment and that's something we've been doing, and we take very seriously.". Please read an important update from Superintendent Sanders on our COVID mitigation strategies, including masks here https://t.co/jQBvX09xKh. Some exceptions to the order apply. Heres what we know so far. Some of the parents in the complaint shared their views on the issue prior to filing the complaint, said O'Laughlin. The school district appealed, and the Fifth District Appellate Court said the restraining order had to be vacated because the lawsuit didnt name Governor J.B. Pritzer, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health as defendants, in addition to the school district. J.B. Pritzker's emergency rules for COVID-19 mitigations in schools "null and void," effectively stopping the state's mask mandate in school buildings. Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow heard oral arguments last week in a class action . The lawsuit questionsthe mask mandate and a schools ability to exclude students and deny in-person learning without a lawful order of quarantine from alocal health department. The complaint alleges Pritzkers executive order implementing a school mask mandate is substantively similar to that bill, and therefore is tantamount to the governor unilaterally crafting law. Rock Island-Milan School District to begin COVID-19 testing for students and staff, Pritzker announces paid COVID leave for vaccinated IL school employees, 'People are burnt out': Staff shortages at IL schools have teachers stretched thin. (AS TO ALL PLAINTIFFS, IDPH AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS) 11. mopeyjoe 1 yr. ago. The word school is only mentioned five times, but in conjunction with the states earthquake awareness program, as well as grants for safety and security improvements. The law constantly refers to coordination with smaller units of local government like municipalities and counties, but the definition of political subdivision within the statute doesnt include school districts. "We're seeing it in so many places, tens of thousands of schools across the country, have been mask optional all year long.". JBPritzker,Illinois State Board of Education superintendent Carmen Ayala and Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, as defendants. Gov. Full Statement from Illinois Federation of Teachers. A hearing before Seventh Circuit Judge April Troemper is set for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in Carlinville. The grave consequence of this misguided decision is that schools in these districts no longer have sufficient tools to keep students and staff safe while COVID-19 continues to threaten our communities and this may force schools to go remote, he said. The state of Illinois plans to appeal the decision, Pritzker said late Friday, calling the judges decision misguided., Parents sue Pritzker, 16 school districts in Lake and McHenry , Parents sue Pritzker, 16 school districts in Lake and McHenry counties over mask mandate, COVID rules File Photo Gov. Early in July, the Centers for Disease Control released guidance for schools, which only recommended masks for unvaccinated individuals. J.B. Pritzker's mask mandate being found null and void by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow Feb. 4. . Parents from 145 Illinois school districts filed a class-action lawsuit Wednesday against their respective districts, Gov. As school districts across the state begin to interpret the order, different actions are being taken. AlWood, Sterling and Dixon school districts announced over the weekend they will be mask optional beginning Monday. - Timothy Christian Schools: Mask optional, - Barrington School District: Masks recommended but not required, - District 200 in Wheaton: Masks recommended but not required, - District 67 in Lake Forest: Masks recommended but not required. Gov. Previously:Class action lawsuit filed in Macoupin County takes aim at schools mask requirementsThe grave consequence of this misguided decision is that schools in these districts no longer have sufficient tools to keep students and staff safe while COVID-19 continues to threaten our communities and this may force schools to, Class action lawsuit filed in Macoupin County takes aim at , Class action lawsuit filed in Macoupin County takes aim at schools mask requirementsParents are taking aim at over 140 school districts around Illinois, including Ball-Chatham, over COVID-19 mask requirements and exclusion of studentsfrom schools.Aclass action lawsuit was filed by Greenville attorney Thomas DeVore at the Macoupin County courthouse in Carlinville Wednesday.The 11-count complaint also names Gov. The outcome of the lawsuit will impact school districts across the state, including in Central Illinois. "We now have vaccinations," said Robert Frost Junior High parent Brian Watson. JB Pritzker announced that the statewide mask mandate that requires face coverings in public indoor settings will be lifted Monday, Feb. 28. Since the TRO was issued, most local and area school districts, including Springfield District 186, Ball-Chatham and Rochester, have "encouraged" or recommended wearing of masks. Justice John Turner wrote the order. See also: Assistant school superintendent from Indiana lands top position with Ball-Chatham district. We believe what the judge ordered today is legally faulty and a threat to public health and, most importantly, a threat to keeping Illinois schools open for in-person learning. A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Gov. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-10 was issued on August 23, 2021 and requires individuals age 2 and older to wear masks in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. This comes as school districts scrambled to reassess COVID mitigations after a judge granted a temporary injunction last week. Attorney General Raoul officially filed an appeal Monday morning. "I think it's the wrong call.". This shows yet again that the mask mandate and school exclusion protocols are essential tools to keep schools open and everyone safe. J.B. Pritzkers school mask mandate and other safety measures from being enforced statewide.After canceling classes Monday to study the ruling, St. Charles District 303 and Geneva District 304 announced they are encouraging students and staff to continue to wear masks, but will no longer require them to do so. The judge's decision covers districts across the state but not Chicago Public Schools. 2 in September. It also says its unlawful to require masks as a type of treatment without parental consent or a quarantine order from the courts. "However, this is no longer a policy at this time.". JBPritzker, Illinois State Board of Education superintendent Carmen Ayala and Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.A hearing before Seventh Circuit Judge April Troemper is set in Carlinville at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5.The lawsuit questionedthe mask mandate and a schools ability to exclude students and deny in-person learning without a lawful order of quarantine from alocal health department.Pritzker issued an executive order on Aug. 26requiring masks in Illinois schools for teachers, students, staff and visitors. Pritzker's actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and will appeal this decision in the Illinois Appellate Court for the 4th District in Springfield," said Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Those who are exempt dont have to wear masks. The legislation remains the subject of advocacy and outrage in parent Facebook groups against masking in schools. The ruling was a response to a lawsuit filed by a group of parents and school districts who claimed . They added he's done this without any public discourse and the parents claim the people's rights rights under due process under the law were, "shredded at every turn.". (The Center Square) - Students attending one of the 145 schools across Illinois who are part of a sweeping lawsuit won't have to wear a mask if they don't want to, unless they're given due process. First, that students and teachers cannot be required to wear masks while in school buildings or be excluded from school premises after close contact exposure to COVID-19, absent consent or a full evidentiary hearing and court order entered pursuant to the procedures contained in Section 2 of the Illinois Department of Public Health Act. Hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, and staff across Illinois are doing their best to remain healthy and keep schools open. The board added that they encourage everyone to wear a mask due to high transmission rates in schools. The ruling announced Friday afternoon states defendants are temporarily restrained from ordering school districts to require masks for students and teachers - unless a quarantine order is issued by a local health department. Pritzker had harsh wordsfor the judge's decision and quickly urged the state's attorney general's office to appeal, suggesting the ruling could spark another surge in the virus. Leslie Renken can be reached at(309) [email protected]. pencils, books and now a new addition to the back-to-school shopping list: a mask. However, the district explained there are students who have exceptions as they are included in the lawsuit in which the TRO was issued. The grave consequence of this misguided decision is that schools in these districts no longer have sufficient tools to keep students and staff safe while COVID-19 continues to threaten our communities and this may force schools to go remote,Pritzker said in a statement. Weather explainer: What is a River Flood Warning? A group of Wheaton parents gathered to protest outside District 200's headquarters Monday, demanding school administrators walk back its mask optional policy change. Vernon Hills-based Community High School District 128, too, will still enforce the mask mandate, except for when it comes to students named in the lawsuit. Both districts are among dozens of schools systems that are defendants in legal challenges waged by downstate attorney Tom DeVore, who argued Pritzker exceeded his authority with requirements that students and teachers wear masks inside schools, that unvaccinated school employees provide negative COVID-19 test results and that close contacts of infected people stay home. Chicago-area school districts are relaxing their COVID-19 policies or revealing they plan to stay the course in the wake of an Illinois judge's decision to temporarily prevent Gov. Se non vuoi che noi e i nostri partner utilizziamo i cookie e i dati personali per questi scopi aggiuntivi, clicca su "Rifiuta tutto". SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A downstate judge has granted a temporary restraining order against mask mandates for 140 school districts throughout the state. Biden defends Afghanistan exit, Newsfeed Now: Last US troops leave Afghanistan; Man, Newsfeed Now: US racing to finish Afghanistan withdrawal;, Newsfeed Now: The nation mourns after US service, Celebrating Central Illinois: First Responders, Fallen officer Chris Oberheims partner opens up, Plans move forward for Urbana solar farm that could, Champaign community raises $25,000 and counting for, Champaign Co. deputys passion to serve stronger, Lot fees jump over 50 percent at Mahomet mobile home, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Mount Pulaski Communit UnitSchool District 23, Mount Zion Community Unit School District 3, Ball-Chatham Community Unit School District 5, Gifford Community Consolidated School District 188, Dieterich Community Unit School District 30, Jacksonville Community Unit School District 117, Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District 3, Teutopolis Community Unit School District 50. . Rockton School District says it's still subject to the Governor's mask mandate. Hinsdale District 181 schools also declare an emergency due to the mask ruling and will be going remote Monday, officials said. Governor JB . "We have medications that can address the issue. The lawsuit was filed in downstate Macoupin County on Oct. 20, by attorneys Tom Devore, Jeffrey Mollet and Erik D. Hyam, of the Silver Lake Group, of Greenville. Hes now running for a seat on the states Fourth District Appellate Court, while Bailey is vying to unseat Pritzker in next years gubernatorial race. The Illinois attorney general is seeking an expedited appeal of the restraining order from theFourth District Illinois Appellate Court,according to a statement from Gov. A judge's recent ruling that Gov. A spokeswoman for Gov. While the courts have settled that question in Pritzkers favor, DeVores suit over the school mask mandate alleges the IEMAA doesnt allow a governor to usurp the authority of school districts. The grave consequence of this misguided decision is that schools in these districts no longer have sufficient tools to keep students and staff safe while COVID-19 continues to threaten our communities and this may force schools to go remote, Pritzker said. "This type of evil is exactly what the law was intended to constrain., The state of Illinois plans to appeal the decision, Pritzker said late Friday, calling the judge's decision "misguided. Recently, the State provided 350,000 rapid tests to Chicago Public Schools to facilitate a return to in person learning.To increase access to the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccination, the State has held 1,767 on-site vaccination clinics in schools and day camps with an additional 470 clinics already scheduled. With nearly 1,300 students, Timothy Christian is the largest Christian school in Illinois. I know there was a lot of discussion going on outside of the school walls. "More than 700 Illinois parents brought legal action on behalf of their children, carrying out their parental duty to protect their children, and, indeed, all children of this State, from further transgressions by the executive branch of government," part of the statement read. DeVore claims it would take significant mental gymnastics to apply his powers under the IEMAA to local schools, and implored the court to intervene or risk a constitutional crisis. "Statutory rights have attempted to be bypassed through the issuance of executive orders and emergency rules," she stated in the 29-page order. Chicago Public Schools and its 350,000 students will continue masking. Rochester Superintendent Dan Cox said he communicated with parents and guardians after the TRO was announced. SEE ALSO | Restaurant vaccine mandate, indoor mask rules could end 'soon' if COVID cases stay in free fall. It prohibited schools from requiring the plaintiffs kids to wear a mask unless there was consent or a court order. Statutory rights have attempted to be bypassed through the issuance of executive orders and emergency rules, she stated in the 29-page order. "They're hollow policies and without any lawful rule and some mechanism, you can't do anything with them. It's something small that's working.". Greenville-based attorney Thomas DeVore, the plaintiff in the case, said those executive orders were trying to get around the law of the court and due process. "Their goal is to intimidate you," one parent said. Jeff Schuler, Community Unit School District 200. You have all shown your true colors. All parents want is a choice," said Jennifer Hildreth, anti-mask parent. Context: The protest unfolds as a Sangamon County circuit court judge prepares to rule on a lawsuit against 146 Illinois school districts mostly downstate but including CPS that challenges the mandate. Some districts are put in a different situation due to collective bargaining agreements. "She's had three open heart surgeries and she has a low oxygen level, so for her COVID could be calamitous," said her mother Leslie Cummings. Pritzker said students and staff would no longer be required to wear masks at Illinois schools starting Feb. 28 after the Illinois Supreme Court declined to take up the case. Don Craven, a Springfield attorney and president of the Illinois Press Association, said he understood why the appellate court reached its decision. The judge filed a temporary restraining order against Bond CountyCommunity UnitSchool DistrictNo. Update on Court Case and Masking in D128: https://t.co/Vz0Dxo097T. In part, the law says it has general supervision of the interests of the health, and lives of the people of the state. In St. Charles, district officials have also decided to cancel classes and use an emergency day Monday. Masks must be worn in Illinois schools when students and staff return to the classroom in the coming weeks. The Joliet Diocese is requiring all catholic schools within the diocese to continue to wear masks including Joliet Catholic Academy. It prioritizes a relatively small group of plaintiffs who refuse to follow widely-accepted science over the rights of other students, faculty and staff to enter schools without the fear of contracting a virus that has claimed the lives of more than 31,000 Illinois residents - or taking that virus home to their loved ones. People seem to be leaving to states with an improved business climate, lower taxes, and we would also say because that states with the worst government finances seem to be losing population the most, Weinberg said. DeVore rose to prominence among conservatives last year for filing numerous lawsuits against Pritzkers administration for COVID mitigations, most famously a suit that freed just one person State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) from the governors stay-at-home orders. Illinois school districts will be deciding whether or not to make masks optional after a judge ruled against the state's mandate. The American Cancer Society said Wednesday that about 20% of new colorectal cancer diagnoses were in patients under 55 in 2019, compared with 11% in 1995. TheFourth District Appellate Courtis one of five districts of theIllinois Appellate Court. To facilitate safe in-person learning, the administration has provided schools across the state with 3.8 million masks for students, teachers, and staff as of January 12th. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health have won an injunction against three school districts who said they did not need to mandate face masks for in-person learning . "This is what the overwhelming majority of Chicago parents and families support.". All rights reserved, A downstate Illinois judge issued a ruling declaring Gov. JB Pritzker over a statewide mask mandate issued to all schools in August. The case was filed by attorney Thomas DeVore on October 20 in Macoupin County against Gov. The State has completed over 2 million COVID-19 tests in schools through the SHIELD program and sent more than a million rapid tests into schools outside of the City of Chicago. It's just a piece of paper.". ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. A Sangamon County judge issued the order after 145 school districts, including Rockridge, were named in a lawsuit in October 2021. CHICAGO Illinois schools are no longer required to mandate masks for their students, according to a court ruling. READ: Judge Raylene Grischows full ruling here. This Executive Order from Gov. Pritzker said the. 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Joliet School District 204 - masks required The complaint points to a bill pending in the General Assembly that would compel school districts to follow Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education guidelines during public health emergencies, and forbid them to adopt policies contrary to state guidelines. Grischow's temporary restraining order blocks the nearly 170 school districts named in DeVore's lawsuits from enforcing mask requirements and exclusion rules for students and . Lawsuit filed against 140 Illinois school districts over COVID , Parents file class action lawsuit against Peoria-area school districts over COVID rulesParents from eight Peoria-area school districts are participating in a lawsuit aimed at abolishing mask requirements in schools.The class action lawsuit against 140 school districts around Illinois was filed Wednesday at the Macoupin County courthouse in Carlinville. Oxford Community Schools and its staff are shielded from such civil litigation by state law under the doctrine of governmental immunity, Oakland County . Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. Five days later, Pritzker's statewide school mask mandate undid that decision, including for the child of the plaintiff in DeVore's case. ", Earlier:Mask mandate for Illinois schools rejected by state legislative oversight committee. "I think they should follow health recommendations, which right now say kids should be in a mask<' said Reid McCollum, pro-mask parent. The appellate court affirmatively stated that the language of the TRO in no way restrains school districts from acting independently from the executive orders or the IDPH in creating provisions addressing COVID-19.".
