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CHICAGO (CBS) — Some Illinois schools were sent scrambling this weekend after a downstate judge put a temporary restraining order on Gov. JB Pritzker’s mask mandate.
Because we have a memorandum of understanding with Chicago Public Schools, secured last month, Chicago Teachers Union educators with agreements with either charter school companies or the district will return to classrooms tomorrow with mask mandates still in place.
— ChicagoTeachersUnion (@CTULocal1) February 7, 2022
The spokesperson added, “We will stay the course.”
Meanwhile, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office has already filed an emergency stay on the ruling to pause the restraining order on mask mandates — meaning the ruling is in limbo.
Also in limbo is the Archdiocese’s decision on masking. They said they were still studying the decision and what it means for their schools.
Barrington 220 School District has announced it will be recommending but not requiring masks based on this decision. However, masks will be required on school-based transportation due to a federal CDC order, the district said.
Naperville Community School District 203, however, will be continuing to require masks in school. The district cited its legal counsel, saying the legal affect of the temporary restraining order is unclear, and the only exceptions made to current policies will be for named parties to the lawsuit. Elgin Area School District U-46 will also continue to require masks in school, according to a letter from the district’s superintendent. Indian Prairie School District 204, too, will continue its COVID protocols.
Community Consolidated School District 181 has opted to use an emergency day and will switch to remote instruction.
Geneva Community Unit School District 304 and St. Charles District 303 have also opted for an emergency day Monday but will not have instruction.
“Due to the multiple interpretations of the ruling and the status of the State mandates, there is a strong likelihood that there will be disruption in our schools which will have a substantial negative impact on the delivery of instruction and the health and safety of our students and staff,” District 304 wrote in a letter to parents.
“My stance on it is that a judge made a ruling and we’ll be sending our daughter to school tomorrow without a mask. And if the school decides to do anything contrary to what this lawsuit said they should be doing, we will have options moving forward,” said District 90 parent Jason Hartrich.
His daughter is in Fulton Jr. High.
“When we discussed this with her this evening as a family she said she just wants to go to school tomorrow as a normal kid,” he said.
Their school was not one of the 145 districts listed in Austin V. Pritzker, the case ruled on Friday.
Now the debate rages on: What do the schools not listed in that lawsuit do Monday?
“Obviously we would be welcome to just having options as parents,” Hartrich said.
“It’s been terrible. I think a lot of parents have no idea that this is even happening,” said Jay Bionda, who has a 3-year-old and a 6-year-old in District 101.
His daughter receives extra attention in class.
“She was born premature, so she has some speech issues. Part of the reason why she goes to that school is because they give extra attention like that. She’s never been able to see her teachers’ mouths while they’re speaking,” he said.
Pushback for wearing a mask though is not the attention he wants his kids to receive.
“We will send our kids with masks because we don’t want our kids to feel the pressure or the emotional trauma that comes along with standing up in front of a crowd.
Meanwhile, a second lawsuit in the works — waged by parents — could force even more schools to create a no-mask option.
As for masking outside schools, Pritzker Friday signaled a possible end to the statewide mask mandate soon.
“I believe that we should remove masks and as soon as we possibly can,” he said. “And constantly listening to doctors and scientists and encouraging them. When can we do this? What’s the right time? What’s the right way to do it? And so very hopeful we’ll be able to make some announcements about that.”
The governor’s comment comes with a dramatic drop in new COVID cases, which are down more than 50% in a week.
Nearly 53% of CPS students over 12 are fully vaccinated. More than 90% of CPS teachers are, too.
The following list reflects school policies in the Chicago area as of Sunday night:
MASKS REQUIRED
- Chicago Public Schools
- Naperville Community School District 203
- East Aurora District 131
- Elgin Area School District U46
- Indian Prairie School District 204
- Community High School District 128
- Township High School District 113
- Lansing District 158
- Palatine District 15
MASKS OPTIONAL
- Plainfield Schools District 202
- Lake Forest Districts 67 & 115
- Barrington District 220
- Hillsboro School District 3
- Huntley District 158
- Lombard Elementary District 44
- Arlington Heights District 25
CLASSES CANCELED
- Geneva District 304
REMOTE LEARNING
- Clarendon Hills District 181
Source: ChicagoCBS
