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. "Some people were saying like, 'Oh yeah this is so exciting finally!' On Wednesday, Illinois Gov. This time, parents sued the school districts, IDPH, ISBE and Gov. (AS TO ALL PLAINTIFFS, IDPH AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS) 11. mopeyjoe 1 yr. ago. Meanwhile, Chicago Public Schools said it will continue to require masks, as will U-46 in Elgin. So right now we're effectively in a holding pattern.". More than two dozen Illinois school districts are on probation after flouting the statewide mask requirements for staff and students inside schools. Pritzker's request to move a massive class-action lawsuit over the state's school mask mandate and other COVID rules to a different county. "I'm not sure who you represent but it is not us," said another parent. After that ruling went in favor the lawsuit, whose plaintiffs include parents from District 203, the board decided in a closed-door Sunday meeting that they would continue to require masks in schools. According to The State Journal-Register, Gov. ", "We feel our original masking policy would have been appropriate as it allowed everyone to make their own decisions," Schmale wrote. In the meantime, we will continue to advise our members on how to remain safe and healthy at work. 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. 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. Complaint filed . In some locales, there were protests at school board meetings. Heres the full list from Central Illinois: Amended Complaint Macoupin Co. by Neil Street on Scribd. So what does it mean, how are schools responding and what's next? More than 700 parents took part in the lawsuit, claiming local health department should have authority to quarantine or mandate masks, not the schools. Elgin Area School District U46 is standing by its requirement, explaining its Board of Education approved a resolution in August of last year supporting that the district follows recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as local health agencies. Their argument, in a nutshell, is if a school is going to order masks or remove a kid from school for not following COVID-19 policies, the district needs to get parental consent or a court order. 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. Se non vuoi che noi e i nostri partner utilizziamo i cookie e i dati personali per questi scopi aggiuntivi, clicca su "Rifiuta tutto". | Provided Photo. Rockridge School District released a statement, saying they are reviewing the judge's decision and will provide an update "as soon as possible.". "Really, the sole purpose of the plan is to provide stability for our schools so we don't get caught in this flipping back and forth between legal cases because those are out of our control and we wanted to focus on what we could control," Cox said. 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. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. "Why are you continuing to enforce a mandate that is null and void?" Cary School District 26 has about 2,400 students. The appellate court's decision noted that the TRO "in no way restrains school districts from acting independently from the executive orders or the IDPH in creating provisions addressing COVID-19. It's something small that's working.". The high school parents challenging Illinois Gov. Area school districts named in the lawsuit were Ball-Chatham, Carrollton, Mount Pulaski, Petersburg PORTA, Jacksonville, North Mac, Carlinville and Staunton. However, the state health dept. The outcome of the lawsuit will impact school districts across the state, including in Central Illinois. Hannah covers state government and politics for NPR Illinois and Illinois Public Radio. "We have wide spaces (and) large classrooms. The Score | Week 9 high school basketball games, stats and scores from the Quad Cities, Thousands pack Wharton Field House to watch Moline punch their ticket to the Elite Eight. TheFourth District Appellate Courtis one of five districts of theIllinois Appellate Court. What the ruling does. "We're seeing it in so many places, tens of thousands of schools across the country, have been mask optional all year long.". 2 in September. This shows yet again that the mask mandate and school exclusion protocols are essential tools to keep schools open and everyone safe. HIRING! 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. The case was filed in Macoupin County by attorney Thomas DeVore seeks declaratory judgment and injunctions against the schools, saying its unlawful to exclude students from school for allegedly being in close contact with a COVID-19 case without the consent of the parent or a court order that includes due process. The court meets in Springfield. "You guys have kept school running. A downstate Illinois judge issued a ruling declaring Gov. We believe we can achieve this," said Matt Davidson, superintendent for Timothy Christian Schools. Parents from eight Peoria-area school districts are participating in a lawsuit aimed at abolishing mask requirements in schools. J.B. Pritzker's emergency rules for COVID-19 mitigations in schools "null and void,", 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. Yahoo fa parte della famiglia di brand di Yahoo. 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. While some districts continue to isolate students from class for not wearing masks, other schools across the state went mask optional this last week. Se vuoi personalizzare le tue scelte, clicca su "Gestisci le impostazioni per la privacy". A dozen parents or guardians from District 122 were named in the complaint. -Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills School District 181- Open Tuesday. 2 in September. In south suburban Burbank, School District 111 will "fully comply with the court's ruling," but recommends masks be worn by all students and staff in school buildings. Some of the parents in the complaint shared their views on the issue prior to filing the complaint, said O'Laughlin. CPS said in a statement last week that the court's ruling does not prohibit the school district from continuing its COVID-19 mitigation policies and procedures, including universal masking, and that the district "will stay the course.". Illinois schools were scrambling to react after a ruling by a downstate judge Friday placed a temporary restraining order on Gov. Dozens of students showed up at Naperville schools Monday maskless. Full Statement from Illinois Federation of Teachers. 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. 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. 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. Rochester Superintendent Dan Cox said he communicated with parents and guardians after the TRO was announced. Attorney Thomas DeVore argued a case Monday in Springfield on behalf of dozens of school staff challenging vaccine and mask mandates in schools as a violation of due process. 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. Governor JB . All this is prompted by Gov. Home Blog list of schools in illinois mask lawsuit in 2023. . 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.". ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. This shows yet again that the mask mandate and school exclusion protocols are essential tools to keep schools open and everyone safe.. The lawsuit demands that county health departments issue guidance on masks, in-person learning and quarantining students instead of state leaders and school districts. J.B.. Masks optional but encouraged. 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. The bicameral committee, made up of lawmakers from both parties, rejected the rule unanimously. Gov. A temporary restraining order issued Friday by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow has reduced schools' ability to require masks and vaccinations. Attorney General Raoul officially filed an appeal Monday morning. One can only presume Pritzker is dissatisfied the legislature chose not to empower IDPH and ISBE with this authority, so he took it upon himself to pilfer the power of the legislature and for all intents and purposes made HB 2789 a law on his own, the suit said. Tony Sanders said in a letter to parents. Around the state, it set off widely varying reactions by school districts, some of whom called off classes in the wake of the confusion. 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Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow issued the order Friday afternoon in a lawsuit brought by hundreds of parents in more than 145 school districts who claim the mask order denies students due process. The judge argued those state offices would all be affected by the outcome of the case. - 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. "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. Parents filed suit against more than 140 school districts, Gov. Craven said schools are different because most younger students are unvaccinated or can't be vaccinated age-wise and movement is different in schools versus workplaces. Pritzker's administration quickly adopted the new guidelines. Contact StevenSpearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. Parents came armed with no mask signs, American flags and their children to protest mask mandates as school district employees looked down at them from their offices. Despite the IEMAAs silence on school districts, DeVores suit points to the legislatures creation of the Illinois School Code and the invention of local school districts themselves as evidence enough that local school boards are the only entity with the authority to adopt and enforce all necessary rules for the management and governance of the public schools of their district.. Because it will never be perfect.". 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. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. "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. READ: Judge Raylene Grischows full ruling here. The judge's decision covers districts across the state but not Chicago Public Schools. They must also have due process. Geneva District 304 has declared Monday an emergency day as the schools work out what they will do regarding masks, officials announced Sunday night. The state's two. 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. "This is what the overwhelming majority of Chicago parents and families support.". Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. A few days later, however, District 12 in Breese a pre-K through 8th grade district announced it was going mask-optional for the upcoming school year. "It's not that big of a deal in my opinion. Others, however, are waiting for clarification before proceeding. Location may have been the reasoning, DeVore added, but he said he cant remember who suggested Macoupin County. Prior to the ruling,NBC 5 talked to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, about the state of COVID-19 in Illinois. Some are comfortable with the switch to a mask optional policy, while others are not. The court also disposed of Pritzker's contention that his executive orders, despite the JCAR ruling, were still in effect. Leslie Renken can be reached at(309) 370-5087orlrenken@pjstar.com. Parents lash out at Naperville school board meeting after district decides to keep requiring masks. The case was filed by attorney Thomas DeVore on October 20 in Macoupin County against Gov. 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. CHICAGO Illinois schools are no longer required to mandate masks for their students, according to a court ruling. J.B. Pritzker in October 2021. 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. 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. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, p They were separated out and did e-learning activities. Patti Rojek told her 13-year-old son Sam to keep wearing his. 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. On Monday, Rochester's board of education met at a special meeting to pass a layered mitigation plan. Crystal LakeElementary District 47issued a similar message explaining "face masks will be strongly recommended but not required at school and at all school-related events for staff and students, as well as visitors and volunteers.". 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. "Statutory rights have attempted to be bypassed through the issuance of executive orders and emergency rules," she stated in the 29-page order. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Parents from 145 school districts in Illinois are suing Gov. In a letter attached as an exhibit to the lawsuit, District 12 Superintendent Travis Schmale wrote to parents last week, empathizing with frustration borne of "constant changes. They also voted that starting Tuesday, masks will be suggested but not required. "We have medications that can address the issue. Thus, it does not appear the school districts are temporarily restrained from acting by the courts TRO. Follow heron Facebook.com/leslie.renken. A Sangamon County judge has denied class action status for a lawsuit challenging Illinois' mask and vaccine mandates for school personnel. For children in primary schools, health advice is that under 11s are exempt from wearing face coverings in national guidance ? legislative committee Tuesdaynot renewing the mask mandate, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Geneva Community United School District 304 said it will cancel classes Monday, explaining implementing an emergency day is in its best interest. ranted one parent. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Abbott prohibits mask mandates by local governments including school districts. Students crave consistency, but Judge Grischows Feb. 4 decision to enter a TRO in the case sent schools into chaos," Griffin noted. Schools without mask mandates face penalties from the state education board. J.B. Pritzkers emergency rules for COVID-19 mitigations in schools null and void, effectively stopping the states mask mandate in school buildings. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of parents in 146 school districts in Macoupin County in mid-October last year. "What that says right thereis what I've been saying for months, that (Pritzker's) executive orders are just fearmongering," DeVore said. Not anymore. Chicago Public Schools and its 350,000 students will continue masking. Rockton School District says it's still subject to the Governor's mask mandate. Please read an important update from Superintendent Sanders on our COVID mitigation strategies, including masks here https://t.co/jQBvX09xKh. "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. It prohibited schools from requiring the plaintiffs kids to wear a mask unless there was consent or a court order. 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Parents from eight Peoria-area school districts are participating in a lawsuit aimed at abolishing mask requirements in schools. "We now have vaccinations," said Robert Frost Junior High parent Brian Watson. A judge's recent ruling that Gov. FOR WHICH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN BASE THEIR. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Attorney General Kwame Raoul agreed with Pritzker that the ruling would make it more difficult to protect students and school employees from the virus, and said he would appeal. Biden announces aggressive new, Newsfeed Now: Biden to launch new plan against COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Health experts concerned about COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Pres. 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. The class action lawsuit against 140 school districts around Illinois was filed Wednesday at the Macoupin County courthouse in Carlinville. The parents from District 203 read from the temporary restraining order. Arlington Heights School District 25 distributed a letter to parents saying it will be in a "mask recommended environment" - at least during the Temporary Restraining Order period. (CNN/WSIL) -- A group of parents in Illinois have filed a lawsuit against nearly 150 school districts and public officials challenging mask and quarantine policies. The superintendent of District 122 in Metamora said they were aware of the lawsuit, but not in any official capacity. . The ruling was a response to a lawsuit filed by a group of parents and school districts who claimed . Contact StevenSpearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow heard oral arguments last week in a class action . 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. Pritzker later responded to the decision; asking the Attorney General's Office to grant an immediate appeal. JB Pritzkers mandate requiring all students, faculty and staff at Illinois schools wear masks in the face of the coronavirus more contagious Delta variant spreading across the state. Some Rockford-area have decided to keep their existing mask rules in place, while others are modifying or lifting them for the time being. Don Craven, a Springfield attorney and president of the Illinois Press Association, said he understood why the appellate court reached its decision. Neither Pritzkers office, nor the ISBE, immediately returned messages seeking comment. "This decision sends the message that all students do not have the same right to safely access schools and classrooms in Illinois, particularly if they have disabilities or other health concerns. Many others have moved swiftly to lift the mask mandate. In September, a judge there ordered a preliminary injunction in a case that has not gone to trial yet. "You have all shown your true colors. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Illinois is requiring students . "There are factual bases for the distinction," Craven said. 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. 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. Help fund the NPR Illinois mission to inform the community by securing business sponsorships. "This shows yet again that the mask mandate and school exclusion protocols are essential tools to keep schools open and everyone safe. NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | In St. Charles, district officials have also decided to cancel classes and use an emergency day Monday. School systems cannot require masks, but individuals may choose to wear masks. 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. It's a big change for students and parents at Robert Frost Junior High School in Schaumburg. COVID vaccine: Hundreds of Peoria teachers, staff haven't taken COVID vaccine, district says. 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. School districts and private businesses can continue to require masks at their discretion. The Fourth District Appellate Court ruled early Friday that Illinois' indoor mask requirement in schools has expired and the appeal made by the Illinois attorney general against a temporary restraining order issued Feb. 4 barring schools from enforcing it was dismissed. 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. "Because future court rulings may go back and forth, and because changing our policies back and forth would create confusion and disruption in our schools, we will continue the current mask policy for now," Archdiocese officials said. It was a regular school day inside. The day will be made up on May 31. The lawsuit contended that IDPH and ISBE are not lawful authoritieson which school districts can base mask and exclusion policies. Some said they will continue to strongly encourage their use, others that these are decisions that should be made at home, like the Superintendent of Timothy Christian Schools in Elmhurst. 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.. It is composed of seven judges and encompasses 31 counties across a band of the state. The mask mandate remains at Hinsdale high schools. Only children 12 and over are currently eligible for COVID vaccines. It is not the children you care about.". Those who are exempt dont have to wear masks. 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. (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. Illinois, which has among the highest tax burdens in the nation, could be pricing people out. 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 staff as well as.