Meanwhile, Chicago Public Schools said it will continue to require masks, as will U-46 in Elgin. Governor Pritzker said the judge's ruling, "cultivates chaos" and that, "poor legal reasoning should not take one of our most effective tools off the table so again, I have asked the attorney general to continue to aggressively appeal this decision.". Some exceptions to the order apply. The Illinois Supreme Court granted Gov. Same goes for certain school staff who don't want to take weekly COVID-19 tests for not being vaccinated. J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the . J.B. Pritzker's administration are asking a state appellate court to set aside a lower court order from late Friday that invalidated the mask pencils, books and now a new addition to the back-to-school shopping list: a mask. 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. I mean obviously I'm still gonna wear it because I haven't gotten my booster yet, but I guess I'll just have to see," she said. 2023 www.sj-r.com. CHICAGO Illinois schools are no longer required to mandate masks for their students, according to a court ruling. Out of 850 school district in Illinois, more than 145 districts have filed a lawsuit against Governor JB Pritzker's mask mandate for schools. The lawsuit named at least 69 Chicago area school districts as defendants, including the Chicago Public Schools and districts from all regions of Chicago's suburbs. The school district appealed, and the Fifth District Appellate Court said the restraining order had, Illinois school mask mandate temporarily blocked by courts, Illinois schools temporarily blocked from enforcing mask mandates and vaccinationsA temporary restraining order issued Friday by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge RayleneGrischow has reducedschools ability to require masks and vaccinations.The orderwas the result of severallawsuits broughtby Greenville attorney Thomas DeVore on behalf of several hundred parents and teachers from around the state. J.B. Pritzkers emergency rules for COVID-19 mitigations in schools null and void, effectively stopping the states mask mandate in school buildings. 8 min read. So what does it mean, how are schools responding and whats next? A judge in downstate Sangamon County granted a temporary restraining order Friday effectively prohibiting mask requirements for students in numerous school districts across the state. The Illinois Federation of Teachers is greatly distressed at the judge's temporary restraining order (TRO) in this case. Update on Court Case and Masking in D128: https://t.co/Vz0Dxo097T. "You guys have kept school running. Weather explainer: What is a River Flood Warning? Chicago Public Schools and its 350,000 students will continue masking. The administration is working with (Attorney General Kwame Raoul)to request an expedited review of this decision from the (Illinois) Supreme Court. Help fund the NPR Illinois mission to inform the community by securing business sponsorships. "Why are you continuing to enforce a mandate that is null and void?" Vaccinations, boosters, mask-wearing and testing are the key to keeping schools open and to maintaining safety standards for staff and students alike. At least one Illinois school district has canceled classes for Monday and many others have decided to recommend masks. After a downstate judge ruled against Pritzker's school mask mandate, suburban parents lashed out at school boards who chose to continue to require masks in schools. "I'm not sure who you represent but it is not us," said another parent. "It's not that big of a deal in my opinion. This type of evil is exactly what the law was intended to constrain. Read the full ruling here. A group of Wheaton parents gathered to protest outside District 200's headquarters Monday, demanding school administrators walk back its mask optional policy change. Geneva District 304 has declared Monday an emergency day as the schools work out what they will do regarding masks, officials announced Sunday night. 2 in September. The parents from District 203 read from the temporary restraining order. Hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, and staff across Illinois are doing their best to remain healthy and keep schools open. "We're really excited for that," said father of three Michael Lafido. SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (WLS) -- An Illinois judge's ruling has forced many schools Monday to decide whether to continue with a mask mandate or to make them optional, and emotions across the state. A dozen parents or guardians from District 122 were named in the complaint. All rights reserved, A downstate Illinois judge issued a ruling declaring Gov. J.B. Pritzker's statewide mask mandate. It's a big change for students and parents at Robert Frost Junior High School in Schaumburg. The judge argued those state offices would all be affected by the outcome of the case. Sam said he is listening to his mom and the new rules have him worried. Parents from 145 Illinois school districts filed a class-action lawsuit Wednesday against their respective districts, Gov. 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. Sangamon . Parents lash out at Naperville school board meeting after district decides to keep requiring masks. The court also disposed of Pritzker's contention that his executive orders, despite the JCAR ruling, were still in effect. Illinois schools from requiring people to wear face masks in classes and excluding students and staff from school buildings if they've had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. "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. legislative committee Tuesdaynot renewing the mask mandate, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Parents filed suit against more than 140 school districts, Gov. 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. Pritzker on Monday encouraged those districts to continue, Ruling on Illinois School Mask Mandate Lawsuit NBC Chicago, Ruling on Illinois School Mask Mandate Lawsuit: What to Know So Far 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. All rights reserved. In September, a judge there ordered a preliminary injunction in a case that has not gone to trial yet. ", Abudayyeh said the governor "was encouraged that the court made it clear that school districts can continue to keep their own mitigations in place.". Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- A downstate judge has granted a temporary restraining order in favor of a group that sued to end COVID-19 mask mandates in Illinois public school districts.. "My opinion, I think they should still be wearing the masks," Rojek said. Hinsdale District 181 schools also declare an emergency due to the mask ruling and will be going remote Monday, officials said. It prohibited schools from requiring the plaintiffs kids to wear a mask unless there was consent or a court order. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Gov. Hundreds of Peoria teachers, staff haven't taken COVID vaccine, district says, A Peoria teacher quits and the video goes viral, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Early in July, the Centers for Disease Control released guidance for schools, which only recommended masks for unvaccinated individuals. 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. Biden surveys Ida cleanup in, Newsfeed Now: UPS driver spreads joy with TikTok, Newsfeed Now: Hurricane Ida death toll rises after, Newsfeed Now: Supreme Court allows Texas abortion, Newsfeed Now: Pres. There are exceptions. Contact StevenSpearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. Lawsuit seeks to block mask mandates, exclusion rules . Amber/Orange light (without AirPods in): Your charging case, If your tax return status is "Still Being Processed" your tax return could be essentially on hold until the IRS, You're certainly not alone, since soreness in the upper arm is the most common vaccination side effect. Administration spokesperson Jordan Abudayyehsaid the governor was "concerned for the health of those in schoolsparticularly vulnerable children and adultsand the ability to continue in-person learning. The lawsuit against the 146 schooldistricts was originally filed in Macoupin County in October. In the metro-east, Red Bud CUSD 132 in. By. A spokeswoman for Gov. Full Statement from Illinois Federation of Teachers. Community Consolidated School District 181, which has schools in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, and Burr Ridge, said Monday will be an emergency remote instruction day. 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Pritzker announced on Feb. 9 a plan to rollback indoor mask requirements by the end of the month. KalegNar 1 yr. ago. -Schaumburg District 54: Masks not require, - St. Charles CUSD 303: Masks suggested but not required, -Orland School District 135: Masks not required, -Wheaton School District 200: Masks recommended but not required, -Plainfield District 202: Masks recommended but not required, -Lisle District 202- Continuing mask mandate, will make final decision after survey of parents, -Algonquin District 300- Open Tuesday, continuing mask mandate, The Archdiocese of Chicago sent a letter to parents and students Saturday that said they are "closely monitoring the case.". . "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. SEE ALSO | Restaurant vaccine mandate, indoor mask rules could end 'soon' if COVID cases stay in free fall. 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. 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. Jeff Schuler, Community Unit School District 200. 2 in September. The high school parents challenging Illinois Gov. Cox said he didn't seeany problems in schools after the TRO basically made mask wearing unenforceable. JB Pritzker announced that the statewide mask mandate that requires face coverings in public indoor settings will be lifted Monday, Feb. 28. A temporary restraining order issued Friday by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow has reduced schools' ability to require masks and vaccinations. "Based on the wording of the temporary restraining order we believe we still have the authority to enforce mask wearing as part of our local mitigation efforts, and again, the local bargaining agreements that we have that compel us to provide a safe environment for our employees to work," U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said. Masks will continue to be required at the district except for the 11 students named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, the district's school board said in a letter to families Sunday that was provided to the Northwest Herald separately by two different parents. 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"We expect the mayor and CPS to act responsibly and uphold our agreement to require masks providing KN95 masks for every adult and child in our schools," CTU said in a statement. The state's second largest school district will have an exemption for a handful of students whose parents were part of the lawsuit, but that's it. 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. "Until somebody tells us otherwise, we're going to follow the mandates that the Governor, IDPH and ISBE have put out, and if there is a court order, then the court order trumps that until it's actually litigated. You have all shown your true colors. The legislation remains the subject of advocacy and outrage in parent Facebook groups against masking in schools. Tony Sanders said in a letter to parents. New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Chicago Suburb Lands on List of Happiest Places to Live,' Another Midwest City Makes Top 10, Chicago-Area Counties Under Winter Storm Advisories and Warnings, Stomach Bug Cases Surging, Sending People to Emergency Rooms in Chicago Area. I think it's this document that has a list of the plaintiffs. They must also have due process. It is not the children you care about.". It was a regular school day inside. It's something small that's working.". Now that the judge has made her widely-anticipated ruling, what are the next steps? The state's largest school district on Saturday said it would continue a mask mandate in its schools, along with staff vaccination and testing requirements, despite a ruling Friday by a. Illinois school districts will be deciding whether or not to make masks optional after a judge ruled against the state's mandate. After nearly two years of online learning, Claudette Cummings was on the verge of going back to in-person learning. "Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pritzker administration has implemented mitigations and programming to protect the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff in schools. Not anymore. "We have wide spaces (and) large classrooms. As school districts across the state begin to interpret the order, different actions are being taken. When it comes to relaxing mitigations in schools, Fauci said, "We're not there yet. Unlike most of the suits filed by DeVore and others in the last 18 months, Mondays lawsuit does not challenge Pritzkers ability to issue continuous disaster declarations beyond the 30-day period provided for in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, or IEMAA. Follow heron Facebook.com/leslie.renken. Some school districts kept their mask rules in place, while others made them optional. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Illinois is requiring students . The lawsuit was filed by Greenville attorney Thomas DeVore, who has filed a number of lawsuits around the state related to the governor's executive orders issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. While some districts continue to isolate students from class for not wearing masks, other schools across the state went mask optional this last week. Some districts are put in a different situation due to collective bargaining agreements. The latest lawsuit was filed in Macoupin County. Yahoo fa parte della famiglia di brand di Yahoo. She said her kids will continue wearing their masks. 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. It prohibited schools from requiring the plaintiffs kids to wear a mask unless there was consent or a court order. "What that says right thereis what I've been saying for months, that (Pritzker's) executive orders are just fearmongering," DeVore said. The lawsuit begins with laying out current COVID-19 statistics in Illinois, including a calculation that the survival rate for children and young adults up to age 20 who contract the virus is 99.9973%, citing 20 COVID deaths in that cohort in Illinois since the pandemic began. As one of the districts named in the lawsuit that resulted in the temporary restraining order, administrators said removing the mask mandate for their schools was a legal decision. You do not need to show proof of vaccination in Chicago and Cook County. "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," said Governor JB Pritzker. READ: Judge Raylene Grischow's full ruling here. The case was filed by attorney Thomas DeVore on October 20 in Macoupin County against Gov. In fact, the safety mitigations encompassed by the State's guidance, as well as vaccinations for children and adults, are the best ways to keep schools open and everyone healthy. Illinois mask mandate will lift for residents Feb. 28, but students will have to continue wearing masks at schools. Craven said the state could file a petition for leave of appeal asking the Illinois Supreme Courtto take thecase or itcould file a motion for supervisory order. 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"We're seeing it in so many places, tens of thousands of schools across the country, have been mask optional all year long.". It is not the children you care about.Im not sure who you represent but it is not us, said another parent.The parents from District 203 read from the temporary restraining order. School districts and private businesses can continue to require masks at their discretion. All this is prompted by Gov. Geneva Community United School District 304 said it will cancel classes Monday, explaining implementing an emergency day is in its best interest. "There are factual bases for the distinction," Craven said. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. A central Illinois judge has issued a temporary restraining order that prevents school districts statewide that were sued from requiring students to wear masks in classrooms . The Illinois Association of School Administrators on Friday said about 700 districts it has reached so far have a mask optional policy or will transition to one soon. Pritzker's administration quickly adopted the new guidelines. Mask optional on Tuesday. Attorney General Raoul officially filed an appeal Monday morning. One of the cases DeVore is representing parents in actually sparked this newest lawsuit and the largest complaint filed yet. One of the cases DeVore is representing parents in actually sparked this newest lawsuit and the largest complaint filed yet. Contact StevenSpearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. TheFourth District Appellate Courtis one of five districts of theIllinois Appellate Court. The state of Illinois announced it will appeal the decision,with Pritzker late Friday calling the ruling "misguided.". 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. Others, however, are waiting for clarification before proceeding. The court meets in Springfield. It is composed of seven judges and encompasses 31 counties across a band of the state. J.B. Pritzker, ISBE and 16 school districts in Lake and McHenry counties over the states school mask mandate and other COVID rules. (The Center Square) - The case with more than 700 parents suing more than 140 school districts over mask and exclusion policies implemented on school children continues. On Tuesday, the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rulesrejected an emergency rule proposed by IDPH which would have outlined the requirements for schools to "exclude" certain students based on their exposure to COVID-19as well as require masks for students and teachers. DeVore filed the suit on behalf of a father of a student in Breese School District 12 in Clinton County, about 40 miles east of St. Louis. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Parents from 145 school districts in Illinois are suing Gov. READ: Judge Raylene Grischows full ruling here. The 90 plaintiffs in the suit worked in 22 different . However, the district explained there are students who have exceptions as they are included in the lawsuit in which the TRO was issued. While Pritzker will spill gallons on ink on the history of the COVID pandemic and how his administration has worked to keep people safe, none of this obfuscation is relevant to the precise question of what is the extent of his delegated power by the legislature under the [Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act], DeVote wrote in the 11-page complaint. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is seeking an appeal of a judge's ruling temporarily blocking the state from enforcing a mask mandate at dozens of school districts. The court's misguided decision is wrong on the law, demonstrates a misunderstanding of Illinois emergency injunction proceedings and has no relation to the record that was before the court. 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. "I think they should follow health recommendations, which right now say kids should be in a mask<' said Reid McCollum, pro-mask parent. On Monday, Rochester's board of education met at a special meeting to pass a layered mitigation plan. J.B. Pritzker, State Superintendent of . 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 . A judge in downstate Sangamon County granted a temporary restraining order Friday effectively prohibiting mask requirements for students in numerous school districts across the state. Pritzker issued an executive order Aug. 26requiring masks in Illinois schools for teachers, students, staff and visitors. Governor JB . Some Illinois parents are urging their kids to go to school without a mask today to protest Gov. Derik Holtmann dholtmann@bnd.com. 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. Parents from Dunlap, two school districts in Metamora, Germantown Hills, Eureka, Brimfield, Mortonand Limestone in Bartonville are named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. J.B. Pritzker's COVID-19 mask mandate was authorized illegally prompted chaos and confusion Monday morning at school districts across Illinois, as. That bill, HB 2789, passed the Illinois House on party lines in April, but never received a vote on the Senate floor this spring before the legislature adjourned. As we have from the beginning of the pandemic, the administration will keep working to ensure every Illinoisan has the tools needed to keep themselves and their loved ones safe., Download the WQAD News 8 App Subscribe toourdaily newsletter Subscribeto ourYouTubechannel. The TRO granted by 7th Judicial Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow in Sangamon County court covered separate lawsuits, but it did declare the emergency rules implemented by IDPH and the Illinois State Board of Education on Sept. 17 regarding mask mandates for students and teachers "void" and that school districtsmay "govern themselves accordingly.". "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. The mask mandate remains at Hinsdale high schools. Heres what we know so far. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. The judge's decision covers districts across the state but not Chicago Public Schools. She's been dedicated to the statehouse beat since interning at NPR Illinois in 2014, with subsequent stops at outlets including WILL-AM/FM, Law360, The Daily Line and a temporary stint at political blog Capitol Fax before returning to the station in 2020.